S. G. and E. L. ELBERT
Jtelro
AlWStultfrby ELLA SMITH ELBEML. f 88
J/xt ilirnutrivtui
N9 KATHABIITE I. COHAU
-
ISAAC T. HOPPER:
A TRUE LIFE.
B Y
L. MARIA CHILD
Thine was a soul with sympathy imbued,
Broad as the earth, and as the heavens sublime ;
Thy godlike object, steadfastly pursued,
To save thy race from misery and crime.
Garrison. ^&
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY JOHN P. JEWETT & CO
CLEVELAND, OHIO:
JEWETT, PROCTOR & WORTHINGTON.
LONDON: -
SAMPSON LOW, SON & CO.
18 5 3.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, hy
John Hopper,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New-York.
TO
HANNAH ATTMORE HOPPER,
WIDOW OF THE LATE
ISAAC T. HOPPER,
THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,
BY HER GRATEFUL AND ATTACHED FRIEND,
L. MARIA CHILD.
PREFACE.
This biography differs from most works of the kind, in
embracing fragments of so many lives. Friend Hopper lived
almost entirely for others ; and it is a striking illustration of
the fact, that I have found it impossible to write his biography
without having it consist largely of the adventures of other
people.
I have not recounted his many good deeds for the mere
purpose of eulogizing an honored friend. I have taken plea-
sure in preserving them in this form, because I cherish a
hope that they may fall like good seed into many hearts,
and bring forth future harvests in the great field of humanity.
Most of the strictly personal anecdotes fell from his lips in
familiar and playful conversation with his sister, or his grand-
children, or his intimate friends, and I noted them down at
the time, without his knowledge. In this way I caught them
in a much more fresh and natural form, than I could have
done if he had been conscious of the process.
The narratives and anecdotes of fugitive slaves, which form
such a prominent portion of the book, were originally written
VI PREFACE.
by Friend Hopper himself, and published in newspapers,
under the title of " Tales of Oppression." I have re-modelled
them all ; partly because I wished to present them in a more
concise form, and partly because the principal actor could be
spoken of more freely by a third person, than he could speak
of himself. Moreover, he had a more dramatic way of telling
a story than he had of writing it ; and I have tried to embody
his unwritten style as nearly as I could remember it. Where-
ever incidents or expressions have been added to the publish-
ed narratives, I have done it from recollection.
The facts, which were continually occurring within
Friend Hopper's personal knowledge, corroborate the pic-
tures of slavery drawn by Mrs. Stowe. Her descriptions
are no more fictitious, than the narratives written by Friend
Hopper. She has taken living characters -and facts of
every-day occurrence, and combined them in a connect-
ed story, radiant with the light of genius, and warm with
the glow of feeling. But is a landscape any the less real, be-
cause there is sunshine on it, to bring out every tint, and make
every dew-drop sparkle ?
Who that reads the account here given of Daniel Benson,
and William Anderson, can doubt that slaves are capable of
as high moral excellence, as has ever been ascribed to them
in any work of fiction ? Wlio that reads Zeke,and the Quick
Witted Slave, can pronounce them a stupid race, unfit for
freedom % Who that reads the adventures of the Slave
Mother, and of poor Manuel, a perpetual mourner for his en-
slaved children, can say that the bonds of nature are less
PREFACE. Vll
strong with them, than with their more fortunate white
brethren ? Who can question the horrible tyranny under
which they suffer, after reading The Tender Mercies of a
Slaveholder, and the suicide of Romaine ?
Friend Hopper labored zealously for many, many years ;
and thousands have applied their best energies of head and
heart to the same great work ; yet the slave-power in this
country is as strong as ever — nay, stronger. Its car rolls on
in triumph, and priests and politicians outdo each other in
1 to draw it along, over its prostrate victims. But, lo !
from under its crushing wheels, up rises the bleeding spectre
of Uncle Tom, and all the world turns to look at him !
Verily, the slave-power is strong ; but God and truth are
stronger.
CONTENTS.
GENERAL INDEX.
Allusions to his Parents, from 1 to 3, from 25 to 28, 252.
Anecdotes of Childhood, from 3 to 25.
Allusions to Sarah his Wife, 24, 36, 43, 46, 249 to 252, 289 to 293,
377, 382, 466.
Allusions to Joseph Whitall, 25, 27, 44 to 46, 466.
Anecdotes of Apprenticeship, 27 to 35.
His Religious Experience, 36 to 46.
Talcs of Oppression and Anecdotes of Colored People, 48 to 212.
Anecdotes of Prisoners and of Vicious Characters in Philadelphia,
from 212 to 243.
His Love of Fun, 244 to 248, 364 to 374.
Allusions to his Private Life and Domestic Character, 249, 377 to
380, 458 to 464.
Anecdotes connected with Quakers, from 255 to 276.
Schism in the Society of Friends, 273 to 286.
Anecdotes connected with his Visit to England and Ireland, 296 to
313.
Anti-Slavery Experiences in New- York, 314 to 334, 340 to 303,
384, 385, 447 to 458.
His Attachment to the Principles and Usages of Friends, 255, 380
to 383, 458.
Disowned by the Society of Friends in New- York, 386 to 399,
465.
His Connection with the Prison Association of New- York, 409 to
444, 470 to 473, 481 to 485.
His Illness, Death, and Funeral, 470 to 493.
ix
PARTICULAR INDEX.
His birth, 1.
Anecdote of his Grandmother's Courage, 2.
His Childish Roguery, 4 to 9.
His Contest with British Soldiers, 9.
His Violent Temper, 10.
Conscientiousness in Boyhood, 11.
Tricks at School, 6, 7, 10, 11.
Going to Mill, 12.
Going to Market, 13.
Anecdote of General Washington, 15.
Pelting the Swallows, 16.
Anecdote of the Squirrel and her young ones, 18.
The Pet Squirrel, 20.
The Pet Crow, 21.
Encounter with a Black Snake, 23.
Old Mingo the African, 23.
Boyish Love for Sarah Tatum, 24.
His Mother's parting advice when he leaves Home, 28.
Mischievous Trick at the Cider Barrel, 28.
He nearly harpoons his Uncle, 29.
He nearly kills a Fellow Apprentice, 29.
Adventure with a young Woman, 31.
His first Slave Case, 33.
His Youthful Love for Sarah Tatum, 36.
Nicholas Wain, 37.
Mary Ridgeway, 38.
William Savery, 38.
His early Religious Experience, 43.
Letter from Joseph Whitall, 44.
He marries Sarah Tatum, 46.
X
PARTICULAR INDEX. XI
His interest in Colored People, 47.
Charles Webster, 48.
Ben Jackson, 51.
Thomas Cooper, 55.
A Child Kidnapped, 66.
Wagelma, 70.
James Poovey, 73.
Romaine, 77.
David Lea, 80.
The Slave Hunter, 80.
William Bachelor, 83.
Levin Smith, 88.
Etienne Lamaire, 91.
Samuel Johnson, 96.
Pierce Butler's Ben, 98.
Daniel Benson, 104.
The Quick- Witted Slave, 108.
James Davis, 112.
Mary Holliday, 116.
Thomas Harrison, 122.
James Lawler, 123.
William Anderson, 126.
Sarah Roach, 129.
Zeke, 133.
Poor Amy, 137.
Manuel, 139.
Slaveholders mollified, 145.
The United States Bond, 149.
The tender mercies of a Slaveholder, 157.
The Foreign Slave, 160.
The New- Jersey Slave, 164.
A Slave Hunter Defeated, 168.
Mary Morris, 173.
The Slave Mother, 176.
Ml PARTICULAR INDEX.
Coioncl Ilidgclcy's Slave, 179.
Stop Thief! 185.
The Disguised Slaveholder, 189.
The Slave of Dr. Rich, 192.
His Knowledge of Law, 202.
Mutual Confidence between him and the Colored People, 204.
Mercy to Kidnappers, 206.
Richard Allen, the Colored Bishop, 208.
The Colored Guests at his Table, 210.
Kane the Colored Man fined for Blasphemy, 211.
John Mc'Grier, 212.
Levi Butler, 215.
The Musical Boy, 217.
Mary Norris, 220.
The Magdalen, 221.
The Uncomplimentary Invitation, 222.
Theft from Necessity, 224.
Patrick M'Keever, 225.
The Umbrella Girl, 229.
The two young Offenders, 237.
His courageous intercourse with violent Prisoners^ 242.
Not thoroughly Baptized, 245.
The puzzled Dutchman, 245.
Hint to an Untidy Neighbor, 247.
Resemblance to Napoleon, 248, 314.
The Dress, Manners, and Character of Sarah, his wife, 249 to 252,
382, 466.
The Devil's Lane, 254.
Jacob Lindley's Anecdotes, 256.
Singular Clairvoyance of Arthur Howell, a Quaker Preacher, 258.
Prophetic Presentiment of his Mother, 262.
The aged Bondman emancipated, 264.
A Presentiment of Treachery, 266.
The Quaker who purchased a Stolen Horse, 270.
PARTICULAR INDEX. X1H
Ulias Hicks and the Schism in the Society of Friends, 273 to 286.
Pecuniary difficulties, 287 to 291.
th of his Wife, 291.
Death of his son
Journey to Maryland, and Testimony against Slavery, 293.
His marriage with Hannah Attmore, 294.
Removes to New- York, 296.
Matthew Carey's facetious Letter of Introduction, 296.
Anecdotes of his visit to England and Ireland, 296 to 313.
Anecdote of the Diseased Horse, 802.
Visit to William Penn's Grave, 309.
The Storm at Sea. Profane Language rebuked, 312.
The Clergyman and hit Books, 313.
His Book-store in New- York, 313.
The Mob in Pearl-Street, 315.
Judge Chinn'i slave, 3if>.
One of his sons mobbed at the South, 319.
His Letter to the Mayor of Savannah, 327.
His Phrenological Character, 335.
His Unconsciousness of Distinctions in Society, 339.
TheDarg 340.
Letter from Dr. Moore, 356.
Mrs. Burke's Slave. 357.
Becomes Agent in the Anti- Slavery Office, 363.
His youthful appearance, 363, 491.
Anecdotes showing his love of Fun, 364 to 374.
His sense of Justice, 374.
His Remarkable Memory, 375.
His Costume and Personal Habits, 378 to 380.
His Library, 380.
His Theology, 381.
His Adherence to Quaker Usages, 382.
Capital Punishment, 383.
Rights of Women, 384.
Xiv PARTICULAR INDEX.
Expressions of gratitude from Colored People, 95, 384, 385, 476.
His fund of Anecdotes and his Public Speaking, 385, 415.
Remarks of Judge Edmonds thereon, 412.
His separation from the Society of Friends in New-York, 386 to
399.
Visit to his Birth-place, 399.
Norristown Convention, 400.
Visit from his Sister Sarah, 401.
Visit to Boston, 401.
Visit to Bucks County, 406.
Prison Association in New- York, 409.
Correspondence with Governor Young, 413.
Preaching in Sing Sing Chapel, 415.
Anecdotes of Dr. William Rogers, 417, 459.
Interesting Cases of Reformed Convicts, 419 to 443.
Letter from Dr Walter Channing, 444.
Anecdotes of William Savery and James Lindley at the South, 446.
Sonnet by William L. Garrison, 448.
His sympathy with Colored People turned out of the Cars, 448.
A Methodist Preacher from the South, 452.
His Disobedience to the Fugitive Slave Law, 455.
His Domestic Character, 249, 377 to 380, 458 to 464.
He attracts Children, 460.
His Garden described in a Letter to L. M. Child, 461.
Likenesses of him, 464.
Letter concerning Joseph Whitall, 466.
Letters concerning Sarah his wife, 466, 467.
Letter to his Daughter on his 80th Birth-day, 469.
Allusions to Hannah, his wife, 294, 370, 379, 476, 481.
Letter resigning the agency of the Prison Association, 472.
His last Illness, 470.
His Death, 481.
Letter from a Reformed Convict, 481.
Resolutions passed by the Prison Association, 482.
PARTICULAR INDEX. XV
Resolutions passed by the Anti-Slavery Society, 484.
His Funeral, 485.
Lucretia Mott, 486, 487.
Public Notices and Private Letters of Condolence, 487 to 493.
His Epitaph, 493.
I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me: and when the eye saw me, il
gave witness to me :
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had
none to help him.
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me : and I caused
the widow's heart to sing for joy. Job xxix. 16, 11, 12, 13.
XVI
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Isaac Tatem Hopper was born in Deptford
Township, near Woodbury, West New- Jersey, in
the year 1771, on the third day of December, which
Quakers call the Twelth Month. His grandfather
belonged to that denomination of Christians, but for-
feited membership in the Society by choosing a wife
from another sect. His son Levi, the father of Isaac,
always attended their meetings, but never became a
member.
A family of rigid Presbyterians, by the name of
Tatem, resided in the neighborhood. While their
house was being built, they took shelter for a few
days, in a meeting-house that was little used, and
dug a pit for a temporary cellar, according to the
custom of new settlers in the forest. The country
at that time was much infested with marauders ; but
Mrs. Tatem was an Amazon in physical strength and
courage. One night, when her husband was absent,
and she was alone in the depths of the woods with
2 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
three small children, she heard a noise, and looking
out saw a band of thieves stealing provisions from
the cellar. They entered the meeting-house soon af-
ter, and she had the presence of mind to call out,
" Hallo, Jack ! Call Joe, and Harry, and Jim !
Here's somebody coming." The robbers, supposing
she had a number of stout defenders at hand, thought
it prudent to escape as quickly as possible. The
next day, her husband being still absent, she resolved
to move into the unfinished house, for greater securi-
ty. The door had neither lock nor latch, but she
contrived to fasten it in some fashion. At midnight,
three men came and tried to force it open ; but every
time they partially succeeded, she struck at them
with a broad axe. This mode of defence was kept
up so vigorously, that at last they were compelled to
retreat.
She had a daughter, who was often at play with
neighbor Hopper's children ; and when Levi was
quite a small boy, it used to be said playfully that
little Rachel Tatem w r ould be his wife, and they
would live together up by the great white oak ; a
remarkable tree at some distance from the homestead.
The children grew up much attached to each other,
and when Levi was twenty-two years old, the pro-
phecy was fulfilled.
The young man had only his own strong hands
and five or six hundred acres of wild woodland.
/IFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 3
He grubbed up the trees and underbrush near the
big white oak, removed his father's hen-house to the
cleared spot, fitted it up comfortably for a temporary
dwelling, and dug a cellar in the declivity of a hill
near by. To this humble abode he conducted his
young bride, and there his two first children were
born. The second was named Isaac Tatem Hopper,
and is the subject of this memoir.
Rachel inherited her mother's energy and courage,
and having married a diligent and prudent man, their
worldly circumstances gradually improved, though
their family rapidly increased, and they had nothing
but land and labor to rely upon. When Isaac was
one year and a half old, the family removed to anew
log-house with three rooms on a floor, neatly white-
washed. To these the bridal hen-house was append-
ed for a kitchen.
Isaac was early remarked as a very precocious
child. He was always peeping into everything, and
inquiring about everything. He was only eighteen
months old, when the new log-house was built ; but
when he saw them laying the foundation, his busy
little mind began to query whether the grass would
grow under it ; and straightway he ran to see whether
grass grew under the floor of the hen-house where
he was born.
He was put to work on the farm as soon as he
could handle a hoe ; but though he labored hard, he
4 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
had plenty of time and strength left for all manner
of roguery. While he was a small fellow in petti-
coats, he ran into a duck-pond to explore its depth.
His mother pulled him out, and said, "Isaac, if you
ever go there again, I will make you come out faster
than you went in." He thought to himself, " Now
I will prove mother to be in the wrong ; for I will go
in as fast as I can, and surely I can't come out any
faster." So into the pond he went, as soon as the
words were out of her mouth.
A girl by the name of Polly assisted about the
housework. She was considered one of the family,
and always ate at the same table, according to the
kindly custom of those primitive times. She always
called her mistress " Mammy," and Served her until
the day of her death ; a period of forty years. The
children were much attached to this faithful domes-
tic ; but nevertheless, Isaac could not forbear playing
tricks upon her whenever he had opportunity. —
"When he was five or six years old, he went out one
night to see her milk the cow. He had observed
that the animal kicked upon slight provocation ; and
when the pail was nearly full, he broke a switch from
a tree near by, slipped round to the other side of the
cow, and tickled her bag. She instantly raised her
heels, and over went Polly, milk-pail, stool, and all.
Isaac ran into the house, laughing with all his might,
to tell how the cow had kicked over Polly and the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
pail of milk. His mother went out immediately to
ascertain whether the girl was seriously injured. —
" Oh, mammy, that little rogue tickled the cow, and
made her do it," exclaimed Polly. Whereupon, Isaac
had a spanking, and was sent to bed without his sup-
per. But so great was his love of fun, that as he lay
there, wakeful and hungry, he shouted with laughter
all alone by himself, to think how droll Polly looked
when she rolled over with the pail of milk after her.
When he was seven or eight years old, his uncle's
wife came one day to the house on horseback. She
was a fat, clumsy woman, and got on and off her
horse with difficulty. Isaac knew that all the family
were absent ; but when he saw her come ambling
along the road, he took a freak not to tell her of it.
He let down the bars for her ; she rode up to the
horse-block with which every farm-house was then
furnished, rolled off her horse, and went into the
house. She then discovered, for the first time, that
there was no one at home. After resting awhile,
she mounted to depart. But Isaac, as full of mis-
chief as Puck, put the bars up, so that she could not
ride out. In vain she coaxed, scolded, and threat-
ened. Finding it was all to no purpose, she rode up
to the block and rolled off from her horse again. —
Isaac, having the fear of her whip before his eyes,
ran and hid himself. She let down the bars for her-
self, but before she could remount, the mischievous
O LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
urchin had put the bars up again and run away. —
This was repeated several times ; and the exasperat-
ed visitor could never succeed in catching her tor-
mentor. His parents came home in the midst of the
frolic, and he had a sound whipping. He had cal-
culated upon this result all the time, and the uneasy-
feeling had done much to mar his sport ; but on the
whole, he concluded such rare fun was well worth a
flogging.
The boys at school were apt to neglect their les-
sons while they were munching apples. In order to
break up this disorderly habit, the master made it a
rule to take away every apple found upon them. —
He placed such forfeited articles upon his desk, with
the agreement that any boy might have them, who
could succeed in abstracting them without being ob-
served by him. One day, when a large rosy-cheeked
apple stood temptingly on the desk, Isaac stepped
up to have his pen mended. He stood very demure-
ly at first, but soon began to gaze earnestly out of
the window, behind the desk. The master inquired
what he was looking at. He replied, " I am watch-
ing a flock of ducks trying to swim on the ice. How
queerly they waddle and slide about !" " Ducks
swim on ice !" exclaimed the schoolmaster ; and he
turned to observe such an unusual spectacle. It was
only for an instant ; but the apple meanwhile was
transferred to the pocket of his cunning pupil. He
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 7
smiled as he gave him his pen, and said, "Ah, you
rogue, you are always full of mischief !"
The teacher was accustomed to cheer the mono-
tony of his labors by a race with the boys during
play hours. There was a fine sloping lawn in front
of the school-house, terminating in a brook fringed
with willows. The declivity gave an impetus to the
runners, and as they came among the trees, their
heads swiftly parted the long branches. Isaac tied
a brick-bat to one of the pendant boughs, and then
invited the master to tun with him. He accepted
the invitation, and got the start in the race. As he
darted through the trees, the brick merely grazed
his hair. If it had hit him, it might have cost him
his life ; though his mischievous pupil had not re-
flected upon the possibility of such a result.
There was a bridge across the brook consisting of
a single rail. One day, Isaac sawed this nearly in
two ; and while the master was at play with the boys,
he took the opportunity to say something very im-
pertinent, for which he knew he should be chased.
He ran toward the brook, crossed the rail in safety,
and instantly turned it over, so that his pursuer would
step upon it when the cut side was downward. It
immediately snapped under his pressure, and pre-
cipitated him into the stream, while the young rogue
stood by almost killing himself with laughter. But
this joke also came very near having a melancholy
8 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
termination ; for the master was floated down several
rods into deep water, and with difficulty saved him-
self from drowning.
There was a creek not far from his father's house,
w r here it was customary to load sloops with wood.
Upon one of these occasions, he persuaded a party
of boys to pry up a pile of wood and tip it into a
sloop, in a confused heap. Of course, it must all be
taken out and reloaded. When he saw how much
labor this foolish trick had caused, he felt some com-
punction ; but the next temptation found the spirit
of mischief too strong to be resisted.
Coming home from his uncle's one evening, he
stopped to amuse himself with taking a gate off its
hinges. When an old Quaker came out to see who
was meddling with his gate, Isaac fired a gun over
his head, and made him run into the house, as if an
evil spirit were after him.
It was his delight to tie the boughs of trees to-
gether in narrow paths, that people travelling in the
dark, might hit their heads against them ; and to lay
stones in the ruts of the road, when he knew that
farmers were going to market with eggs, in the dark-
ness of morning twilight. If any mischief was done
for miles round, it was sure to be attributed to Isaac
Hopper. There was no malice in his fun ; but he
had such superabounding life within him, that it
would overflow, even when he knew that he must
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 9
suffer for it. His boyish activity, strength, and agili-
tv were proverbial. Long after he left his native
village, the neighbors used to tell with what aston-
ishing rapidity he would descend high trees, head
foremost, clinging to the trunk with his feet.
The fearlessness and firmness of character, which
be inherited from both father and mother, manifested
it self in many ways. He had a lamb, whose horns
were crooked, and had a tendency to turn in. His
father had given it to him for his own, on condition
that he should keep the horns carefully filed, so that
they should not hurt the animal. He had a small
file on purpose, and took such excellent care of his
pet, that it soon became very much attached to him,
and trotted about after him like a dog. When he
was about five or six years old, British soldiers came
into the neighborhood to seize provisions for the ar-
my, according to their custom during our revolution-
ary war. They tied the feet of the tame lamb, and
threw it into the cart with other sheep and lambs.
Isaac came up to them in season to witness this ope-
ration, and his heart swelled with indignation. He
sprang into the cart, exclaiming, " That's my lamb,
and you shan't have it !" The men tried to push
him aside ; but he pulled out a rusty jack-knife,
which he had bought of a pedlar for two-pence, and
cut the rope that bound the poor lamb. A British
officer rode up, and seeing a little boy struggling so
10 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
resolutely with the soldiers, he inquired what was
the matter. "They've stolen my lamb!" exclaimed
Isaac; "and they shan't have it. It's my lamb!"
11 Is it your lamb, my brave little fellow?" said the
officer. "Well, they shan't have it. You'll make
a fine soldier one of these days."
So Isaac lifted his lamb from the cart, and trudg-
ed off victorious. He had always been a whig ; and
after this adventure, he became more decided than
ever in his politics. He often used to boast that he
would rather have a paper continental dollar, than a
golden English guinea. The family amused them-
selves by exciting his zeal, and Polly made him be-
lieve he was such a famous whig, that the British
would certainly carry him off to prison. He gene-
rally thought he was fully capable of defending him-
self ; but when he saw four soldiers approaching the
house one day, he concluded the force was rather
too strong for him, and hastened to hide himself in
the woods.
His temper partook of the general strength and
vehemence of his character. Having put a small
quantity of gunpowder on the stove of the school-
house, it exploded, and did some injury to the mas-
ter. One of the boys, who was afraid of being sus-
pected of the mischief, in order to screen himself,
cried out, "Isaac Hopper did it!" — and Isaac w r as
punished accordingly. Going home from school, he
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 11
seized the informer as they were passing through a
wood, tied him up to a tree, and gave him a tremen-
dous thrashing. The hoy threatened to tell of it;
In it he assured him that he would certainly kill him
it' he did ; so he never ventured to disclose it.
In general, his conscience reproved him as soon as
he had done anything wrong, and he hastened to
make atonement. A poor boy, who attended the
same school, usually brought a very scanty dinner.
One day, the spirit of mischief led Isaac to spoil the
poor child's provisions by filling his little pail with
sand. When the boy opened it, all eagerness to eat
his dinner, the tears came into his eyes; for he was
\ t ry hungry. This touched Isaac's heart instantly.
"Oh, never mind, Billy," said he. "I did it for fun;
but I'm sorry I did it. Come, you shall have half of
my dinner." It proved a lucky joke for Billy ; for
from that day henceforth, Isaac always helped him
plentifully from his own stock of provisions.
Isaac and his elder brother were accustomed to set
traps in the woods to catch partridges. One day,
when he was about six years old, he went to look
at the traps early in the morning, and finding his
empty, he took a plump partridge from his brother's
trap, put it in his own, and carried it home as his.
When his brother examined the traps, he said he
was sure he caught the bird, because there were
feathers sticking to his trap ; but Isaac maintained
12 LJFE OF ISAM T. HOPPER.
that there were feathers sticking to his also. After
he went to bed, his conscience scorched him for
what he had done. As soon as he rose in the
morning, he went to his mother and said. "What
shall I do ? I have told a lie. and I feel dreadfully
about it. That was Sam's partridge. I said I took
it from my trap ; and so I did ; but I put it in there
first."
" My son, it is a wicked tiling to tell a lie/'
replied his mother. ''You must go to Sam and
confess, and give him the bird."
Accordingly, he went to his brother, and said,
"am, here's your partridge. I did take it out of
my trap; but I put it in there first." His brother
gave him a talking, and then forgave him.
Being a very bright, manly boy, he was intrusted
to carry grain several miles to mill, when he was
only eight years old. On one of these occasions,
he arrived just as another boy, who preceded him,
had alighted to open the gate. "Just let me drive
in before you shut it," said Isaac, "and then I shall
have no need to sret down from my wagon. " The
boy patiently held the gate for him to pass through;
but, Isaac, without stopping to thank him, whipped
up his horse, arrived at the mill post haste, and
claimed the right to be first served, because he was
the first comer. When the other boy found he was
compelled to wait, he looked very much dissatisfied,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 13
but said nothing. Isaac chuckled over his victory
at first, but his natural sense of justice soon sug-
gested better thoughts. He asked himself whether
he had done right thus to take advantage of that
obliging boy? The longer he reflected upon it, the
more uncomfortable he felt. At last, he went up to
the stranger and said frankly, "I did wrong to drive
up to the mill so fast, and get my corn ground,
when you were the one who arrived first; especially
as you were so obliging as to hold the gate open
for me to pass through. I was thinking of nothing
but fun when I did it. Here's sixpence to make up
for it." The boy was well pleased with the amend
thus honorably offered, and they parted right good
friends.
At nine years old, he began to drive a wagon to
Philadelphia, to sell vegetables and other articles
from his father's farm; which he did very satis-
factorily, with the assistance of a neighbor, who
occupied the next stall in the market. According to
the fashion of the times, he wore a broad-brimmed
hat, and small-clothes with long stockings. Being
something of a dandy, he prided himself upon having
his shoes very clean, and his white dimity small
clothes without spot or blemish. He caught rabbits,
and sold them, till he obtained money enough
to purchase brass buckles 'for his knees, and for
the straps of his shoes. The first time he made
14 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
his appearance in the city with this new finery, lie
felt his ambition concerning personal decoration com-
pletely satisfied. The neatness of his dress, and his
manly way of proceeding, attracted attention, and
induced his customers to call him " The Little
Governor." For several years, he was universal-
ly known in the market by that title. Fortunate-
ly, his father had no wish to obtain undue advantage
in the sale of his produce ; for had it been otherwise,
his straight-forward little son would have proved a
poor agent in transacting his affairs. One day,
when a citizen inquired the price of a pair of chick-
ens, he answered, with the utmost simplicity, " My
father told me to sell them for fifty cents if I could ;
and if not, to take forty."
"Well done, my honest little fellow!" said the
gentleman, smiling, "I will give you whatever is
the current price. I shall look out for you in the
market ; and whenever I see you, I shall always
try to trade with you." And he kept his word,
When quite a small boy, he was sent some dis-
tance of an errand, and arrived just as the family
were about to sit down to supper. There were
several pies on the table, and they invited him to
partake. The long walk had whetted his appe-
tite, and the pies looked exceedingly tempting ; but
the shyness of childhood led him to say, "No, I
thank you." When he had delivered his message,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 15
he lingered, and lingered, hoping they would ask
linn again. But the family were Quakers, and
they understood yea to mean yea, and nay to mean
nay. They would have considered it a mere worldly
compliment to repeat the invitation ; so they were
si h >nt. Isaac started for home, much repenting of
his hash fulness, and went nearly half of the way
revolving the subject in his mind. He then walked
back to the house, marched holdly into the supper-
room, and said, "I told a lie when I was here. I
did want a piece of pie; but I thought to be sure
you would ask me again." This explicit avowal
made them all smile, and he was served with as
much pie as he wished to eat.
The steadfastness of his whig principles led him
to take a lively interest in anecdotes concerning
revolutionary heroes. His mother had a brother in
Philadelphia, who lived in a house formerly occupied
by William Penn, at the corner of Second Street and
Norris Alley. This uncle frequently cu,t and made
garments for General Washington, Benjamin Frank-
lin, and other distinguished men. Nothing pleased
Isaac better than a visit to this city relative ; and
when there, his boyish mind w r as much occupied
with watching for the famous men, of whom he had
heard so much talk. Once, when General Wash-
ington came there to order some garments, he fol-
lowed him a long distance from the shop. The
16 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
General had observed his wonder and veneration, and
was amused by it. Coming to a corner of the street, he
turned round suddenly, touched his hat, and made a
very low bow. This playful condescension so complete-
ly confused his juvenile admirer, that he stood blush-
ing and bewildered for an instant, then walked hastily
away, without remembering to return the salutation.
The tenderness of spirit often manifested by him,
was very remarkable in such a resolute and mis-
chievous boy. There was an old unoccupied
barn in the neighborhood, a favorite resort of swal-
lows in the Spring-time. When he was about ten
years old, he invited a number of boys to meet him
the next Sunday morning, to go and pelt the swal-
lows. They set ofFon this expedition with anticipa-
tions of a fine frolic ; but before they had gone far,
Isaac began to feel a strong conviction that he was
doing wrong. He told his companions he thought it
was very cruel sport to torment and kill poor little
innocent birds ; especially as they might destroy
mothers, and then the little ones would be left to
starve. There was a Quaker meeting-house about a
mile and a half distant, and he proposed that they
should all go there, and leave the swallows in peace.
But the boys only laughed at him, and ran off shout-
ing, "Come on! Come on!" He looked after them
sorrowfully for some minutes, reproaching himself
for the suffering he had caused the poor birds. He
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 17
then walked off to meeting alone ; and his faithful-
ness to the light within him was followed by a sweet
peacefulness and serenity of soul. The impression
made by this incident, and the state of mind he en-
joyed while in meeting, was one of the earliest influ-
ences that drew him into the Society of Friends. —
When he returned home, he heard that one of the
boys had broken his arm while stoning the swallows,
and had been writhing with pain, while he had been
enjoying the consolations of an approving conscience.
At an early age, he was noted for being a sure
shot, with bow and arrow, or with gun. A pair of
king-birds built in his father's orchard, and it was de-
sirable to get rid of them, because they destroy ho-
ney-bees. Isaac watched for an opportunity, and one
day when the birds flew away in quest of food for
their young, he transfixed them both at once with his
arrow. At first, he was much delighted with this ex-
ploit ; but his compassionate heart soon became trou-
bled about the orphan little ones, whom he pictured
to himself as anxiously expecting the parents that
would never return to feed them again. This feeling
gained such strength within him. that he early re-
linquished the practice of shooting, though he found
keen excitement in the pursuit, and was not a little
proud of his skill.
Once, when he had entrapped a pair of partridges,
he put them in a box, intending to keep them there.
18 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
But he soon began to query with himself whether
creatures accustomed to fly must not necessarily be
very miserable shut up in such a limited space. He
accordingly opened the door. One of the partridges
immediately walked out, but soon returned to prison
to invite his less ventursome mate. The box was
removed a few days after, but the birds remained
about the garden for months, often coming to the
door-step to pick up crumbs that were thrown to
them. When the mating-season returned the next
year, they retired to the woods.
From earliest childhood he evinced great fondness
for animals, and watched with lively interest all the
little creatures of the woods and fields. He was fa-
miliar with all their haunts, and they gave names to
the localities of his neighborhood. There was Tur-
key Causeway, where wild turkies abounded; and
Rabbit Swamp, where troops of timid little rabbits
had their hiding places ; and Squirrel Grove, where
many squirrels laid in their harvest of acorns for the
winter ; and Panther Bridge, where his grandfather
had killed a panther.
Once, when his father and the workmen had been
cutting down a quantity of timber, Isaac discovered
a squirrel's nest in a hole of one of the trees that had
fallen. It contained four new-born little ones, their
eyes not yet opened. He was greatly tempted to
carry them home, but they were so young that they
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 19
needed their mother's milk. So after examining
them, he put them back in the nest, and with his
usual busy helpfulness went to assist in stripping
bark from the trees. When he went home from his
work, toward evening, he felt curious to see how the
mother squirrel would behave when she returned and
found her home was gone, lie accordingly hid
himself in a bush to Watch her proceedings. About
dusk, she came running along the stone wall with a
nut in her mouth, and went with all speed to the old
familiar tree. Finding nothing but a stump remain-
ing there, she dropped the nut and looked around in
evident dismay. She went smelling all about the
ground, then mounted the stump to take a survey of
l he country. She raised herself on her hind legs and
snuffed the air, with an appearance of great perplexi-
ty and distress. She ran round the stump several
times, occasionally raising herself on her hind legs,
and peering about in every direction, to discover
what had become of her young family. At last, she
jumped on the prostrate trunk of the tree, and ran
along till she came to the hole where her babies
were concealed. What the manner of their meeting
was nobody can tell; but doubtless the mother's
heart beat violently when she discovered her lost
treasures all safe on the warm little bed of moss she
had so carefully prepared for them. After staying a
few minutes to give them their supper, she came out,
20 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and scampered off through the bushes. In about fif-
teen minutes, she returned and took one of the
young ones in her mouth, and carried it quickly to a
hole in another tree, three or four hundred yards off,
and then came back and took the others, one by one,
till she had conveyed them all to their new home.
The intelligent instinct manifested by this little quad-
ruped excited great interest in Isaac's observing mind.
When he drove the cows to pasture, he always went
by that tree, to see how the young family were get-
ting along. In a short time, they were running all
over the tree with their careful mother, eating acorns
under the shady boughs, entirely unconscious of the
perils through which they had passed in infancy.
Some time after, Isaac traded with another boy
for a squirrel taken from the nest before its eyes
were open. He made a bed of moss for it, and fed it
very tenderly. At first, he was afraid it would not
live ; but it seemed healthy, though it never grew
so large as other squirrels. He did not put it in a
cage ; for he said to himself that a creature made to
frisk about in the green woods could not be happy
shut up in a box. This pretty little animal became
so much attached to her kind-hearted protector, that
she would run about after him, and come like a kit-
ten whenever he called her. While he was gone to
school, she frequently ran off to the woods and play-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOTPER. 21
cd with wild squirrels on a tree that grew near his
path homeward. Sometimes she took a nap in a
large knot-hole, or, if the weather was very warm,
made a cool bed of leaves across a crotch of the
boughs, and slept there. When Isaac passed under
the tree, on his way from school, he used to call
"Bun! Bun! Bun!" If she w T as there, she would
come to him immediately, run up on his shoulder,
and so ride home to get her supper.
It seemed as if animals w T ere in some way aware
of his kindly feelings, and disposed to return his con-
fidence ; for on several occasions they formed singu
Lai intimacies with him. When he was six or seven
years old, he spied a crow's nest in a high tree, and,
according to his usual custom, he climbed up to make
discoveries. He found that it contained two eggs,
and he watched the crow's movements until her
young ones were hatched and ready to fly. Then
he took them home. One was accidentally killed a
few days after, but he reared the other, and named
it Cupid. The bird became so very tame, that it
would feed from his hand, perch on his shoulder, or
his hat, and go everywhere with him. It frequently
followed him for miles, when he went to mill or mar-
ket. He was never put into a cage, but flew in and
out of the house, just as he pleased. If Isaac called
" Cu ! Cu !" he would hear him, even if he were up
in the highest tree, would croak a friendly answer,
22 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and come down directly. If Isaac winked one eye,
the crow would do the same. If he winked his
other eye, the crow also winked with his other eye.
Once when Cupid was on his shoulder, he pointed to
a snake lying in the road, and said " Cu ! Cu !" —
The sagacious bird pounced on the head of the
snake and killed him instantly ; then flew back to
his friend's shoulder, cawing with all his might, as if
delighted with his exploit. If a stranger tried to
take him, he would fly away, screaming with terror.
Sometimes Isaac covered him with a handkerchief
and placed him on a stranger's shoulder ; but as soon
as he discovered where he was, he seemed frighten-
ed almost to death. He usually chose to sleep on
the roof of a shed, directly under Isaac's bed-room
window. One night he heard him cawing very loud,
and the next morning he said to his father, " I heard
Cupid talking in his sleep last night." His father
inquired whether he had seen him since ; and when
Isaac answered, "No," he said, "Then I am afraid
the owls have taken him." The poor bird did not
make his appearance again ; and a few days after,
his bones and feathers were found on a stump, not
far from the house. This was a great sorrow for
Isaac. It tried his young heart almost like the loss
of a brother.
His intimacy with animals was of a very pleasant
nature, except on one occasion, when he thrust his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 23
arm into a hollow tree, in search of squirrels, and
pulled out a large black snake. He was so ter-
rified, that he tumbled headlong from the tree, and
it was difficult to tell which ran away fastest, he or
the snake. This incident inspired the bold boy with
iear, which he vainly tried to overcome during the
eniamder of Ins life. There was a thicket of under-
brush between his father's farm and the village of
"Woodbury. Once, when he was sent of an errand
to the village, he was seized with such a dread of
snakes, that before entering among the bushes, he
placed his basket on an old rail, knelt down and
prayed earnestly that he might pass through without
encountering a snake. When he rose up and at-
tempted to take his basket, he perceived a large
black snake lying close beside the rail. It may well
be believed that he went through the thicket too
fast to allow any grass to grow under his feet.
When he drove the cows to and from pasture, he
often met an old colored man named Mingo. His
sympathizing heart was attracted toward him, be-
cause he had heard the neighbors say he was stolen
from Africa when he was a little boy. One day, he
asked Mingo what part of the world he came from;
and the poor old man told how he was playing with
other children among the bushes, on the coast of
Africa, when white men pounced upon them suddenly
and dragged them off to a ship. He held fast hold
24 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
of the thorny bushes, which tore his hands dreadfully
in the struggle. The old man wept like a child,
when he told how he was frightened and distressed
at being thus hurried away from father, mother,
brothers and sisters, and sold into slavery, in a
distant land, where he could never see or hear from
them again. This painful story made a very deep
impression upon Isaac's mind ; and, though he was
then only nine years old, he made a solemn vow to
himself that he would be the friend of oppressed
Africans during his whole life.
He was as precocious in love, as in other matters.
Not far from his home, lived a prosperous and highly
respectable Quaker family, named Tatum. There
were several sons, but only one daughter ; a hand-
some child, with clear, fair complexion, blue eyes,
and a profusion of brown curly hair. She was Isaac's
cousin, twice removed; for their great-grandfathers
were half-brothers. When he was only eight years old,
and she was not yet five, he made up his mind that
little Sarah Tatum was his wife. He used to walk a
mile and a half every day, on purpose to escort her to
school. When they rambled through the woods, in
search of berries, it was his delight to sit beside her
on some old stump, and twist her glossy brown
ringlets over his fingers. A lovely picture they must
have made in the green, leafy frame-work of the
woods — that fair, blue-eyed girl, and the handsome,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 25
vigorous boy ! When he was fourteen years old, he
wrote to her his first love-letter. The village school-
master taught for very low wages, and was not re-
markably well-qualified for his task ; as was gene-
rally the case at that early period. Isaac's labor
\\ as needed on the farm all the summer ; conse-
quently, he was able to attend school only three
months during the winter. He was, therefore, so
little acquainted with the forms of letter-writing,
that he put Sarah's name inside the letter, and his
own on the outside. She, being an only daughter,
and a great pet in her family, had better opportuni-
ties for education. She told her young lover that
was not the correct way to write a letter, and in-
structed him how to proceed in future. From that
time, they corresponded constantly.
Isaac likewise formed a very strong friendship
with his cousin Joseph Whitall, who was his school-
mate, and about his own age. They shared together
all their joys and troubles, and were companions in
all boyish enterprises. Thus was a happy though
laborious childhood passed in the seclusion of the
woods, in the midst of home influences and rustic
occupations. His parents had no leisure to bestow
on intellectual culture ; for they had a numerous
family of children, and it required about all their
time to feed and clothe them respectably. But they
were worthy, kind-hearted people, whose moral pre-
26 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
cepts were sustained by their upright example. His
father was a quiet man, but exceedingly firm and
energetic. When he had made up his mind to do a
thing, no earthly power could turn him from his
purpose ; especially if any question of conscience
were involved therein. During the revolutionary
war, he faithfully maintained his testimony against
the shedding of blood, and suffered considerably for
refusing to pay military taxes. Isaac's mother was
noted for her fearless character, and blunt directness
of speech. She was educated in the Presbyterian
faith, and this was a source of some discordant feel-
ing between her and her husband. The preaching
of her favorite ministers seemed to him harsh and
rigid, while she regarded Quaker exhortations as
insipid and formal. But as time passed on, her
religious views assimilated more and more with his ;
and about twenty-four years after their marriage, she
joined the Society of Friends, and frequently spoke
at their meetings. She was a spiritual minded wo-
man, always ready to sympathise with the afflicted,
and peculiarly kind to animals. They were both ex-
tremely hospitable and benevolent to the poor. On
Sunday evenings, they convened all the family to
listen to the Scriptures and other religious books. —
In his journal Isaac alludes to this custom, and says :
" My mind was often solemnized by these opportuni-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 27
ties, and I resolved to live more consistently with the
principles of christian sobriety."
When he was sixteen years old, it became a ques-
tion to what business he should devote himself. — ■
There was a prospect of obtaining a situation for him
in a store at Philadelphia ; and for that purpose it
was deemed expedient that he should take up his
abode for a while w T ith his maternal uncle, whose
house he had been so fond of visiting in early boy-
hood. He did not succeed in obtaining the situation
he expected, but remained in the city on the look-out
for some suitable employment. Meanwhile, he was
very helpful to his uncle, who, finding him diligent
and skillful, tried to induce him to learn his trade. —
It was an occupation ill-adapted to his vigorous body
and active mind ; but he was not of a temperament
to fold his hands and wait till something "turned
up ;" and as his uncle was doing a prosperous busi-
ness, he concluded to accept his proposition. About
the same time, his beloved cousin, Joseph Whitall,
was sent to Trenton to study law. This w T as rather
a severe trial to Isaac's feelings. Not that he envied
his superior advantages ; but he had sad forebodings
that separation would interrupt their friendship, and
that such a different career would be very likely to
prevent its renewal. They parted with mutual re-
gret, and did not meet again for several years.
When Isaac bade adieu to the paternal roof, his
28 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
mother looked after him thoughtfully, and remarked
to one of his sisters, " Isaac is no common boy. —
He will do something great, either for good or evil."
She called him back and said, "My son, you are
now going forth to make your own way in the world.
Always remember that you are as good as any other
person ; but remember also that you are no better."
With this farewell injunction, he departed for Phila-
delphia, where he soon acquired the character of a
faithful and industrious apprentice.
But his boyish love of fun was still strong within
him, and he was the torment of all his fellow ap-
prentices. One of them, named William Roberts,
proposed that they should go together into the cellar
to steal a pitcher of cider. Isaac pulled the spile,
and while William was drawing the liquor, he took
an unobserved opportunity to hide it. When the
pitcher was full, he pretended to look all around for
it, without being able to find it. At last, he told his
unsuspecting comrade that he must thrust his finger
into the hole and keep it there, while he went to get
another spile. William waited and waited for him
to return, but when an hour or more had elapsed, his
patience was exhausted, and he began to Halloo ! —
The noise, instead of bringing Isaac to his assist-
ance, brought the mistress of the house, who caught
the culprit at the cider-barrel, and gave him a severe
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. % 29
scolding, to the infinite gratification of his mischiev-
ous companion.
Once, when the family were all going away, his
uncle left the house in charge of him and another ap-
prentice, telling them to defend themselves if any
robbers came. Having a mind to try the courage of
the lads, he returned soon after, and attempted to
force a window in the back part of the house, which
opened upon a narrow alley inclosed by a high fence.
As soon as Isaac heard the noise, he seized an old
harpoon that was about the premises, and told his
companion to open the window the instant he gave
the signal. His orders were obeyed, and he flung
the harpoon with such force, that it passed through
his uncle's vest and coat, and nailed him tight to the
fence. When he told the story, he used to say he
never afterward deemed it necessary to advise Isaac
to defend himself.
Among the apprentices was one much older and
stouter than the others. He was very proud of his
physical strength, and delighted to play the tyrant
over those who were younger and weaker than him-
self. When Isaac saw him knocking them about,
he felt an almost irresistible temptation to fight ; but
his uncle was a severe man, likely to be much in-
censed by quarrels among his apprentices. He
knew, moreover, that a battle between him and Sam-
son would be very unequal ; so he restrained his in-
30 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
dignation as well as he could. But one day, when
the big bully knocked him down, without the slight-
est provocation, he exclaimed, in great wrath, "If
you ever do that again, I'll kill you. Mind what I
say. I tell you I'll kill you."
Samson snapped his fingers and laughed, and the
next day he knocked him down again. Isaac armed
himself with a heavy window-bar, and when the ap-
prentices were summoned to breakfast, he laid wait
behind a door, and levelled a blow at the tyrant, as
he passed through. He fell, without uttering a sin-
gle cry. When the family sat down to breakfast,
Mr. Tatem said, "Where is Samson?"
His nephew coolly replied, "I've killed him."
"Killed him!" exclaimed the uncle. "What do
you mean ?"
" I told him I would kill him if he ever knocked
me down again," rejoined Isaac ; "and I have killed
him."
They rushed out in the utmost consternation, and
found the young man entirely senseless. A physi-
cian was summoned, and for some time they feared
he was really dead. The means employed to restore
him were at last successful ; but it w r as long before
he recovered from the efFects of the blow. When
Isaac saw him so pale and helpless, a terrible re-
mise filled his soul. He shuddered to think how
nearly he had committed murder, in one rash moment
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 31
ot unbridled rage. This awful incident made such a
solemn and deep impression on him, that from that
time he began to make strong and earnest efforts to
control the natural impetuosity of his temper ; and
he finally attained to a remarkable degree of self-
control. Weary hours of debility brought wiser
thoughts to Samson also ; and when he recovered
his strength, he never again misused it by abusing
his companions.
In those days, Isaac did not profess to be a Qua-
ker. He used the customary language of the world,
and liked to display his well-proportioned figure in
neat and fashionable clothing. The young women
of his acquaintance, it is said, looked upon him with
rather favorable eyes ; but his thoughts never wan-
dered from Sarah Tatum for a single day. Once,
when he had a new suit of clothes, and stylish boots,
the tops turned down with red, a young man of his
acquaintance invited him to go home with him on
Saturday evening and spend Sunday. He accepted
the invitation, and set out well pleased with the ex-
pedition. The young maji had a sister, who took it
into her head that the visit was intended as an espe-
cial compliment to herself. The brother was called
out somewhere in the neighborhood, and as soon as
she found herself alone with their guest, she began
to specify, in rather significant terms, what she
should require of a man who wished to marry her. —
32 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Her remarks made Isaac rather fidgetty ; but he re-
plied, in general terms, that he thought her ideas on
the subject were very correct. "I suppose you
think my father will give me considerable money,"
said she ; "but that is a mistake. Whoever takes
me must take me for myself alone."
The young man tried to stammer out that he did
not come on any such errand ; but his wits were be-
wildered by this unexpected siege, and he could not
frame a suitable reply. She mistook his confusion
for the natural timidity of love, and went on to ex-
press the high opinion she entertained of him. Isaac
looked wistfully at the door, in hopes her brother
would come to his rescue. But no relief came from
that quarter, and fearing he should find himself en-
gaged to be married without his own consent, he
caught up his hat and rushed out. It was raining
fast, but he splashed through mud and water, with-
out stopping to choose his steps. Crossing the yard
in this desperate haste, he encountered the brother,
who called out, " Where are you going?"
"I'm going home," he replied.
" Going home !" exclaimed his astonished friend,
"Why it is raining hard; and you came to stay all
night. What does possess you, Isaac ? Come back !
Come back, I say !"
"I won't come back !" shouted Isaac, from the dis-
tance. " I'm going home;" And home he went. —
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 33
His new clothes were well spattered, and his red-top
boots loaded with mud ; but though he prided him-
self on keeping his apparel in neat condition, he
thought he had got off cheaply on this occasion.
Soon after he went to reside in Philadelphia, a sea
captain by the name of Cox came to his uncle's on a
visit. As the captain was one day passing through
Norris Alley, he met a young colored man, named
Joe, whose master he had known in Bermuda. He
at once accused him of being a runaway slave, and
ordered him to go to the house with him. Joe called
him his old friend, and seemed much pleased at the
meeting. He said he had been sent from Bermuda
to New- York in a vessel, which he named ; he had
obtained permission to go a few miles into the coun-
try, to see his sister, and while he was gone, the ves-
sel unfortunately sailed ; he called upon the con-
signee and asked what he had better do under the
circumstances, and he told him that his captain had
left directions for him to go to Philadelphia and take
passage home by the first vessel. Captain Cox was
entirely satisfied with this account. He said there
was a vessel then in port, which would sail for Ber-
muda in a few days, and told Joe he had better go
and stay with him at Mr. Tatem's house, while he
made inquiries about it.
When Isaac entered the kitchen that evening, he
found Joe sitting there, in a very disconsolate atti-
34 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
tude ; and watching him closely he observed tears
now and then trickling- down his dark cheeks. He
thought of poor old Mingo, whose pitiful story had
so much interested him in boyhood, and caused him
to form a resolution to be the friend of Africans. —
The more he pondered on the subject, the more he
doubted whether Joe was so much pleased to meet
his "old friend," as he had pretended to be. He took
him aside and said, "Tell me truly how the case
stands with you. I will be your friend; and come
what will, you may feel certain that I will never be-
tray you." Joe gave him an earnest look of distress
and scrutiny, which his young benefactor never for-
got. Again he assured him, most solemnly, that he
might trust him. Then Joe ventured to acknowl-
edge that he was a fugitive slave, and had great
dread of being returned into bondage. He said his
master let him out to work on board a ship going to
New- York. He had a great desire for freedom, and
when the vessel arrived at its destined port, he made
his escape, and travelled to Philadelphia, in hopes of
finding some one willing to protect him. Unluckily,
the very day he entered the City of Brotherly Love
he met his old acquaintance Captain Cox ; and on
the spur of the moment he had invented the best sto-
ry he could.
Isaac was then a mere lad, and he had been in
Philadelphia too short a time to form many acquain-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 35
tances ; but he imagined what his own feelings would
be if he were in poor Joe's situation, and he deter-
mined to contrive some way or other to assist him.
He consulted with a prudent and benevolent neigh-
bor, who told him that a Quaker by the name of
John Stapler, in Buck's County, was a good friend
to colored people, and the fugitive had better be sent
to him. Accordingly, a letter was written to Friend
Stapler, and given to Joe, with instructions how to
proceed. Meanwhile, Captain Cox brought tidings
that he had secured a passage to Bermuda. Joe
thanked him, and went on board the vessel, as he
was ordei-ed. But a day or two after, he obtained
permission to go to Mr. Tatem's house to procure
some clothes he had left there. It was nearly sunset
when he left the ship and started on the route, which
Isaac had very distinctly explained to him. When
the sun disappeared, the bright moon came forth. —
By her friendly light, he travelled on -with a hopeful
heart until the dawn of day, when he arrived at
Friend Stapler's house and delivered the letter. He
was received with great kindness, and a situation
was procured for him in the neighborhood, where he
spent the remainder of his life comfortably, with
"none to molest or make him afraid."
This was the first opportunity Isaac had of carry-
ing into effect his early resolution to befriend the op-
pressed Africans.
36 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
While the experiences of life were thus deepening
and strengthening his character, the fair child,
Sarah Tatum, was emerging into womanhood. She
was a great belle in her neighborhood, admired by
the young men for her comely person, and by the old
for her good sense and discreet manners. He had
many competitors for her favor. Once, when he
went to invite her to ride to Quarterly Meeting, he
found three Quaker beaux already there, with horses
and sleighs for the same purpose. But though some
of her admirers abounded in worldly goods, her mind
never swerved from the love of her childhood. The
bright affectionate school-boy, who delighted to sit
with her under the shady trees, and twist her shin-
ing curls over his fingers, retained his hold upon her
heart as long as its pulses throbbed.
Her father at first felt some uneasiness, lest his
daughter should marry out of the Society of Friends.
But Isaac had been for some time seriously impressed
with the principles they professed, and when he as-
sured the good old gentleman that he would never take
Sarah out of the Society, of which she was born a
member, he was perfectly satisfied to receive him as
a son-in-law.
At that period, there were several remarkable in-
dividuals among Quaker preachers in that part of the
country, and their meetings were unusually lively
and spirit-stirring. One of them, named Nicholas
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 37
Wain, was educated in the Society of Friends, but
in early life seems to have cared little about their
principles. He was then an ambitious, money-loving
man, remarkably successful in worldly affairs. But
the principles inculcated in childhood probably re-
mained latent within him ; for when he was rapidly
acquiring wealth and distinction by the practice of
law, he suddenly, relinquished it, from conscientious
motives. This change of feeling is said to have been
owing to the following incident. He had charge of
an important case, where a large amount of property
was at stake. In the progress of the cause, he be-
came more and more aware that right was not on
the side of his client ; but to desert him in the midst
was incompatible with his ideas of honor as a law-
yer. This produced a conflict within him, which he
could not immediately settle to his own satisfaction.
A friend, who met him after the case was decided;
inquired what was the result. He replied, "I did
the best I could for my client. I have gained the
cause for him, and have thereby defrauded an honest
man of his just dues." He seemed sad and thought-
ful, and would never after plead a cause at the bar.
He dismissed his students, and returned to his clients
all the money he had received for unfinished cases.
For some time afterward, he appeared to take no in-
terest in anything but his own religious state of feel-
ing. He eventually became a preacher, very popu-
*£-•
38 LJFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. »
lar among Friends, and much admired by others. —
His sermons were usually short, and very impressive.
A cotemporary thus describes the effect of his preach-
ing : " The whole assembly seemed to be baptized
together, and so covered with solemnity, that when
the meeting broke up, no one wished to enter into
conversation with another." He was particularly
zealous against a paid ministry, and not unfrequently
quoted the text, "Put me in the priest's office, I
pray thee, that I may eat a piece of bread." One of
his most memorable discourses began with these
words: "The lawyers, the priests, and the doctors,
these are the deceivers of men." He was so highly
esteemed, that when he entered the court-house, as
he occasionally did, to aid the poor or the oppressed
in some way, it was not uncommon for judges and
lawyers to rise spontaneously in token of respect. —
Isaac had great veneration for his character, and was
much edified by his ministry.
Mary Ridgeway, a small, plain, uneducated wo-
man, was likewise remarkably persuasive and pene-
trating in her style of preaching, which appeared to
Isaac like pure inspiration. Her exhortations took
deep hold of his youthful feelings, and strongly
influenced him to a religious life.
But more powerful than all other agencies was the
preaching of William Savery. He was a tanner by
trade ; remarked by all who knew him as a man who
» LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 39
"walked humbly with his God." One night, a quan-
tity of hides were stolen from his tannery, and he
\u\d reason to believe that the thief was a quarrel-
some, drunken neighbor, whom I will call John
Smith. The next week, the following advertisement
appeared in the County newspaper : "Whoever stole
a lot of hides on the fifth of the present month, is
hereby informed that the owner has a sincere wish
to be his friend. If poverty tempted him to this
false step, the owner will keep the whole transaction
secret, and will gladly put him in the way of obtain-
ing money by means more likely to bring him peace
of mind." This singular advertisement attracted
considerable attention ; but the culprit alone knew
whence the benevolent offer came. When he read
it, his heart melted within him, and he was filled
with contrition for what he had done. A few nights
afterward, as the tanner's family were about retiring
to rest, they heard a timid knock, and when the door
was opened, there stood John Smith with a load of
hides on his shoulder. Without looking up, he said,
" I have brought these back, Mr. Savery. Where
shall I put them ?" "Wait till I can light a lantern,
and I will go to the barn with thee," he replied. —
"Then perhaps thou wilt come in and tell me how
this happened. We will see what can be done for
thee." As soon as they were gone out, his wife pre-
pared some hot coffee, and placed pies and meat on
40 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the table. When they returned from the barn, she
said "Neighbor Smith, I thought some hot supper
would be good for thee. ,, He turned his back to-
ward her and did not speak. After leaning against
the fire-place in silence for a moment, he said, in a
choked voice, "It is the first time I ever stole any-
thing, and I have felt 4 very bad about it. I don't
know how it is. I am sure I didn't think once that
I should ever come to be what I am. But I took to
drinking, and then to quarrelling. Since I began to
go down hill, everybody gives me a kick. You are
the first man who has ever offered me a helping
hand. My wife is sickly, and my children are starv-
ing. You have sent them many a meal, God bless
you ! and yet I stole the hides from you, meaning to
sell them the first chance I could get. But I tell
you the truth when I say it is the first time I was
ever a thief."
"Let it be the last, my friend," replied William
Savery. " The secret shall remain between our-
selves. Thou art still young, and it is in thy power
to make up for lost time. Promise me that thou
wilt not drink any intoxicating liquor for a year, and
I will employ thee to-morrow at good wages. Per-
haps we may find some employment for thy family
also. The little boy can at least pick up stones. —
But eat a bit now, and drink some hot coffee. Per-
haps it will keep thee from craving anything stronger
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
to-night. Doubtless, thou wilt find it hard to abstai
at first ; but keep up a brave heart, for the sake of
thy wife and children, and it will soon become easy.
When thou hast need of cofTee, tell Mary, and she
will always give it to thee."
The poor fellow tried to eat and drink, but the
food seemed to choke him. After an ineffectual ef-
fort to compose his excited feelings, he bowed his
head on the table, and wept like a child. After a
while, he ate and drank with good appetite; and his
host parted with him for the night with this kindly
exhortation; "Try to do w r ell, John; and thou wilt
always find a friend in me."
He entered into his employ the next day, and re-
mained with him many years, a sober, honest, and
faithful man. The secret of the theft was kept be-
tween them ; but after John's death, William Savery
sometimes told the story, to prove that evil might be
overcome with good.
This practical preacher of righteousness was like-
wise a great preacher orally; if greatness is to be
measured by the effect produced on the souls of
others. Through his ministry, the celebrated Mrs.
Fry was first excited to a lively interest in religion.
When he visited England in 1798, she was Elizabeth
Gurney, a lively girl of eighteen, rather fond of dress
and company. Her sister, alluding to the first ser-
mon they heard from William Savery, writes thus:
42 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"His voice and manner were arresting, and we all
liked the sound. Elizabeth became a good deal agu
tated, and 1 saw her begin to weep. The next
morning, when she took breakfast with him at her
uncle's, he preached to her after breakfast, and pro-
phesied of the high and important calling she would
be led into." Elizabeth herself made the following
record of it in her journal; "In hearing William Sa
very preach, he seemed to me to overflow with true
religion ; to be humble, and yet a man of great abili-
ties. Having been gay and disbelieving, only a few
years ago, makes him better acquainted with the
heart of one in the same condition. We had much
serious conversation. What he said, and what I felt
was like a refreshing shower falling upon earth that
had been dried up for ages."
This good and gifted man often preached in Phila-
delphia; not only at stated seasons, on the first and
fifth day of the week, but at evening meetings also,
where the Spirit is said to have descended upon
him and his hearers in such copious measure that
they were reminded of the gathering of the apostles
on the day of Pentecost. Isaac was at an impressible
age, and on those occasions his thirsty soul drank
eagerly from the fountain of living water. He never
forgot those refreshing meetings. To the end of his
days, whenever anything reminded him of William
Savery, he would utter a warm eulogium on his deep
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 43
spirituality, his tender benevolence, his cheerful, ge-
nial temper, and the simple dignity of his deport-
nu'iil .
Isaac was about twenty-two years old, when he
was received as a member of the Society of Friends.
It was probably the pleasantest period of his exis-
tence. Love and religion, the two deepest and
brightest experiences of human life, met together,
and flowed into his earnest soul in one full stream.
I In felt perfeftly satisfied that he had found the one
true religion. The plain mode of worship suited the
simplicity of his character, while the principles incul-
cated were peculiarly well calculated to curb the vio-
lence of his temper, and to place his strong will un-
der the restraint of conscience. Duties toward God
and his fellow men stood forth plainly revealed to
him in the light that shone so clearly in his awaken-
ed soul. Late in life, he often used to refer to this
early religious experience as a sweet season of peace
and joy. He said it seemed as if the very air were
fragrant, and the sunlight more glorious than it had
ever been before. The plain Quaker meeting-house
in the quiet fields of Woodbury was to him indeed a
house of prayer, though its silent worship was often
undisturbed by a single uttered word. Blended with
those spiritual experiences was the fair vision of his
beloved Sarah, who always attended meeting, serene
in her maiden beauty. The joy of renovated friend-
44 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ship also awaited him there, in that quaint old gath-
ering place of simple worshippers. When he parted
from his dear cousin, Joseph Whitall, they were both
young men of good moral characters, but not serious-
ly thoughtful concerning religion. Years elapsed,
and each knew not whither the other was travelling in
spiritual experiences. But one day, when Isaac went
to meeting as usual, and was tying his horse in the
shed, a young man in the plain costume of the
Friends came to tie his horse also. A glance showed
that it was Joseph Whitall, the companion of his
boyhood and youth. For an instant, they stood sur-
prised and silent, looking at each other's dress ; for
until then neither of them was aware that the other
had become a Quaker. Tears started to their eyes,
and they embraced each other. They had long and
precious interviews afterward, in which they talked
over the circumstances that had inclined them to re-
flect on serious subjects, and the reasons which induc-
ed them to consider the Society of Friends as the
best existing representative of Christianity.
The gravity of their characters at this period,
may be inferred from the following letter, written
in 1794:
"Dear Isaac, —
While I sat in retirement this evening,
thou wert brought fresh into my remembrance, with
a warm desire for thy welfare and preservation.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 45
Wherefore, be encouraged to press forward and
persevere in the high and holy way wherein thou
hast measurably, through mercy, begun to tread.
From our childhood I have had an affectionate re-
gard for thee, which hath been abundantly increased ;
and, in the covenant of life I have felt thee near.
May we, my beloved friend, now in the spring time
of life, in the morning of our days, with full purpose
of heart cleave unto the Lord. May we seek Him
for our portion and our inheritance ; that He may
be pleased, in his wonderful loving kindness, to be
our counsellor and director ; that, in times of trouble
and commotion, we may have a safe hiding-place,
an unfailing refuge. I often feel the want of a
greater dependance, a more steadfast leaning, upon
that Divine Arm of power, which ever hath been, and
still is, the true support of the righteous. Yet, I am
sometimes favored to hope that in the Lord's time
an advancement will be known, and a more full
establishment in the most holy faith. "For then
shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord,
that His going forth is prepared as the morning, and
He will come unto us as the rain, as the latter and
the former rain upon the earth." May we, from
time to time, be favored to feel his animating pre-
sence, to comfort and strengthen our enfeebled minds,
that so we may patiently abide in our allotments,
and look forward with a cheering hope, that, what-
46 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ever trials and besetments may await us, they may
tend to our further refinement, and more close union
in the heavenly covenant. And when the end comes,
may we be found among those who through many
tribulations have washed their garments white in the
blood of the Lamb, and be found worthy to stand
with him upon Mount Zion.
So wisheth and prayeth thy affectionate friend,
Joseph Whitall."
The letters which passed between him and his
betrothed partake of the same sedate character ; but
through the unimpassioned Quaker style gleams the
steady warmth of sincere affection. There is some-
thing pleasant in the simplicity with which he usually
closed his epistles to her: "I am, dear Sally, thy
real friend, Isaac."
They were married on the eighteenth of the Ninth
Month, [September,] 1795; he being nearly twenty-
four years of age, and she about three years young-
er. The worldly comforts which a kind Providence
bestowed on Isaac and his bride, were freely im-
parted to others. The resolution formed after lis-
tening to the history of old Mingo's wrongs was
pretty severely tested by a residence in Philadelphia.
There were numerous kidnappers prowling about
the city, and many outrages were committed, which
would not have been tolerated for a moment toward
any but a despised race. Pennsylvania being on
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 47
the frontier of the slave states, runaways were often
passing through ; and the laws on that subject were
little understood, and less attended to. If a colored
man was arrested as a fugitive slave, and discharged
for want of proof, the magistrate received no fee ;
but if he was adjudged a slave, and surrendered to
his claimant, the magistrate received from five to
twenty dollars for his trouble ; of course, there was
a natural tendency to make the most of evidence in
favor of slavery.
Under these circumstances, the Pennsylvania Abo-
lition Society was frequently called upon to protect
the rights of colored people. Isaac T. Hopper be-
came an active and leading member of this associa-
tion. He was likewise one of the overseers of a
school for colored children, established by Anthony
Benezet ; and it was his constant practice, for seve-
ral years, to teach two or three nights every week,
in a school for colored adults, established by a socie-
ty of young men. In process of time, he became
known to everybody in Philadelphia as the friend
and legal adviser of colored people upon all emer-
gencies. The shrewdness, courage, and zeal, with
which he fulfilled this mission will be seen in the
course of the following narratives, which I have se-
lected from a vast number of similar character, in
which he was the principal agent.
48 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
CHARLES WEBSTER.
In 1797, a wealthy gentleman from Virginia went
to spend the winter in Philadelphia, accompanied
by his wife and daughter. He had a slave named
Charles Webster, whom he took with him as coach-
man and waiter. When they had been in the city a
few weeks, Charles called upon Isaac T. Hopper,
and inquired whether he had become free in con-
sequence of his master's bringing him into Pennsyl-
vania. It was explained to him, that if he remained
there six months, with his master's knowledge and
consent, he would then be a free man, according to
the laws of Pennsylvania. The slave was quite
disheartened by this information ; for he supposed
his owner was well acquainted with the law, and
would therefore be careful to take him home before
that term expired.
"I am resolved never to return to Virginia," said
he. "Where can I go to be safe?"
Friend Hopper told him his master might be igno-
rant of the law, or forgetful of it. He advised him
to remain with the family until he saw them making
preparations to return. If the prescribed six months
expired meanwhile, he would be a free man. If not,
there would be time enough to consult what had bet-
ter be done. "It is desirable to obtain thy liberty
in a legal way, if possible," said he ; " for otherwise
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 49
thou wilt be constantly liable to be arrested, and may
never again have such a good opportunity to escape
from bondage."
Charles hesitated, but finally concluded to accept
this prudent advice. The time seemed very long to
the poor fellow ; for he was in a continual panic lest
his master should take him back to Virginia ; but he
did his appointed tasks faithfully, and none of the
family suspected what was passing in his mind.
The long-counted six months expired at last ; and
that very day, his master said, " Charles, grease the
carriage-wheels, and have all things in readiness ; for
I intend to start for home to-morrow."
The servant appeared to be well pleased with this
prospect, and put the carriage and harness in good
order. As soon as that job was completed, he went
to Friend Hopper and told him the news. When
assured that he was now a free man, according to
law, he could hardly be made to believe it. He was
all of a tremor with anxiety, and it seemed almost
impossible to convince him that he was out of dan-
ger. He was instructed to return to his master till
next morning, and to send word by one of the hotel
servants in case he should be arrested meanwhile.
The next morning, he again called upon Friend
Hopper, who accompanied him to the office of Wil-
liam Lewis, a highly respectable lawyer, who would
never take anv fee for his services on such occa-
3
50 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
sions. When Mr. Lewis heard the particulars of the
case, he wrote a polite 'note to the Virginian, inform-
ing him that his former slave was now free, accord-
ing to the laws of Pennsylvania ; and cautioning him
against any attempt to take him away, contrary to
his own inclination.
The lawyer advised Friend Hopper to call upon
the master and have some preparatory conversation
with him, before Charles was sent to deliver the
note. He was then only twenty-six years of age,
and he felt somewhat embarrassed at the idea of call-
ing upon a wealthy and distinguished stranger, who
was said to be rather imperious and irritable. How-
ever, after a little reflection, he concluded it was his
duty, and accordingly he did it.
When the Southerner was informed that his ser-
vant was free, and that a lawyer had been consulted
on the subject, he was extremely angry, and used
very contemptuous language concerning people who
tampered with gentlemen's servants. The young
Quaker replied. M If thy son were a slave in Algiers,
thou wouldst thank me for tampering with him to
procure his liberty. But in the present case, I am
not obnoxious to the charge thou hast brought ; for
thy servant came of his own accord to consult me, I
merely made him acquainted with his legal rights ;
and I intend to see that he is protected in them."
When Charles delivered the lawyers note, and his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 51
master saw that he no longer had any legal power
over him, he proposed to hire him to drive the car-
riage home. But Charles was very well aware that
Virginia would he a very dangerous place for him,
and he positively refused. The incensed Southerner
then claimed his servant's clothes as his property,
and ordered him to strip instantly. Charles did as
he was ordered, and proceeded to walk out of the
room naked. Astonished to find him willing to leave
the house in that condition, he seized him violently,
thrust him back into the room, and ordered him to
dress himself. When he had assumed his garments,
he walked off; and the master and servant never
met again.
Charles was shrewd and intelligent, and conducted
himself in such a manner as to gain respect. He
married an industrious, economical woman, who serv-
ed in the family of Chief Justice Tilghman. In pro-
cess of time, he built a neat two-story house, where
they brought up reputably a family of fourteen chil-
dren, who obtained quite a good education at the
school established by Anthony Benezet.
BEN JACKSON.
Ben was born a slave in Virginia. When he was
about sixteen years old, his mind became excited on
the subject of slavery. He could not reconcile it
with the justice and goodness of the Creator, that
52 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
one man should be born to toil for another without
wages, to be driven about, and treated like a beast
of the field. The older he grew, the more heavily
did these considerations press upon him. At last,
when he was about twenty-five years old, he resolved
to gain his liberty, if possible. He left his master,
and after encountering many difficulties, arrived in
Philadelphia, where he let himself on board a vessel
and went several voyages. When he was thirty
years of age, he married, and was employed as a
coachman by Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers
of the Declaration of Independence. He lived with
him two years ; and when he left, Dr. Rush gave
him a paper certifying that he was a free man, hon-
est, sober, and capable.
In 1799, his master came to Philadelphia, and ar-
rested him as his fugitive slave. Ben had an extraor-
dinary degree of intelligence and tact. When his
master brought him before a magistrate, and demand-
ed the usual certificate to authorize him to take his
human chattel back to Virginia, Ben neither admit-
ted nor denied that he was a slave. He merely show-
ed the certificate of Dr. Rush, and requested that
Isaac T. Hopper might be informed of his situation.
Joseph Bird, the justice before whom the case was
brought, detested slavery, and was a sincere friend
to the colored people. He committed Ben to prison
until morning, and despatched a note to Isaac T.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 53
Hopper informing him of the circumstance, and re-
questing- him to call upon Dr. Rush. When the doc-
tor was questioned, he said he knew nothing about
Ben's early history ; he lived with him two years,
and was then a free man.
When Friend Hopper went to the prison, he found
Ben in a state of great anxiety and distress. He ad-
mit ted that he was the slave of the man who claimed
him, and that he saw no way of escape open for him.
His friend told him not to be discouraged, and pro-
mised to exert himself to the utmost in his behalf.
The constable who had arrested him, sympathized
with the poor victim of oppression, and promised to
do what he could for him. Finding him in such a
humane mood, Friend Hopper urged him to bring
Ben to the magistrate's office a short time before the
hour appointed for the trial. He did so, and found
Friend Hopper already there, watching the clock.
The moment the hand pointed to nine, he remarked
that the hour, of which the claimant had been ap-
prized, had already arrived; no evidence had been
brought that the man was a slave ; on the contrary,
Dr. Rush's certificate was strong presumptive evi-
dence of his being a freeman ; he therefore demand-
ed that the prisoner should be discharged. Justice
Bird, having no desire to throw obstacles in the way,
promptly told Ben he was at liberty, and he lost no
time in profiting by the information. Just as he
54 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
passed out of the door, he saw his master coming,
arid ran full speed. He had sufficient presence of
mind to take a zigzag' course, and running through a
house occupied by colored people, he succeeded in
eluding pursuit.
When Friend Hopper went home, he found him at
his house. He tried to impress upon his mind the
peril he would incur by remaining in Philadelphia,
and advised him by all means to go to sea. But his
wife was strongly attached to him, and so unwilling
to consent to this plan, that he concluded to run the
risk of staying with her. He remained concealed
about a week, and then returned to the house he had
previously occupied. They lived in the second sto-
ry, and there was a shed under their bed-room win-
dow. Ben placed a ladder under the window, to be
ready for escape ; but it was so short, that it did not
reach the roof of the shed by five or six feet. His
wife was an industrious, orderly woman, and kept
their rooms as neat as a bee-hive. The only thing
which marred their happiness was the continual
dread that man-hunters might pounce upon them, in
some unguarded hour, and separate them forever.
About a fortnight after his arrest, they were sitting
together in the dusk of the evening, when the door
was suddenly burst open, and his master rushed in
with a constable. Ben sprang out of the window,
down the ladder, and made his escape. His master
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 55
and the constable followed ; but as soon as they were
on the ladder, Ben's wife cut the cord that held it,
and they tumbled heels over head upon the shed.
This bruised them some, and frightened them still
more. They scrambled upon their feet, cursing at a
round rate.
Ben arrived safely at the house of Isaac T. Hop-
per, who induced him to quit the city immediately,
and go to sea. His first voyage was to the East In-
dies. While he was gone, Friend Hopper negotiated
with the master, who, finding there was little chance
of regaining his slave, agreed to manumit him for
one hundred and fifty dollars. As soon as Ben re-
turned, he repaid from his wages the sum which had
been advanced for his ransom. His wife's health
was greatly impaired by the fear and anxiety she had
endured on his account. She became a prey to me-
lancholy, and never recovered her former cheerful-
ness.
THOMAS COOPER.
The person who assumed this name was called
Notly, when he was a slave in Maryland. He was
compelled to labor very hard, was scantily supplied
with food and clothing, and lodged in a little ricketty
hut, through which the cold winds of winter whistled
freely. He was of a very religious turn of mind, and
often, when alone in his little cabin at midnight, he
56 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
prayed earnestly to God to release him from his suf-
ferings.
In the year 1800, he found a favorable opportuni-
ty to escape from his unfeeling master, and made his
way to Philadelphia, w"here he procured employment
in a lumber-yard, under the name of John Smith.
He was so diligent and faithful, that he soon gained
the good-will and confidence of his employers. He
married a worthy, industrious woman, with whom he
lived happily. By their united earnings they were
enabled to purchase a small house, where they en-
joyed more comfort than many wealthy people, and
were much respected by neighbors and acquain-
tances.
Unfortunately, he confided his story to a colored
man, who, for the sake of reward, informed his mas-
ter where he was to be found. Accordingly, he came
to Philadelphia, arrested him, and carried him before
a magistrate. Having brought forward satisfactory
evidence that he was a slave, an order was granted
to carry him back to Maryland. Isaac T. Hopper
was present at this decision, and was afflicted by it
beyond measure. John's employers pitied his condi-
tion, and sympathized with his afflicted wife and
children. They offered to pay a large sum for his
ransom ; but his savage master refused to release
him on any terms. This sober, industrious man,
guiltless of any crime, was hand-cuffed and had his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 57
arms tied behind him with a rope, to which another
rope was appended, for his master to hold. While
they were fastening his fetters, he spoke a few affec-
tionate words to his weeping wife. "Take good
care of the children," said he; "and don't let them
forget their poor father. If you are industrious and
frugal, I hope you will be enabled to keep them at
school, till they are old enough to be placed at ser-
vice in respectable families. Never allow them to
be idle ; for that will lead them into bad ways. And
now don't forget my advice ; for it is most likely you
will never see me again."
Then addressing his children, he said, " You will
have no father to take care of you now. Mind what
your mother tells you, and be very careful njet to do
anything to grieve her. Be industrious and faithful
in whatever you are set about; and never play in the
streets with naughty children."
They all wept bitterly while he thus talked to
them ; but he restrained his sobs, though it was evi-
dent his heart w r as well nigh breaking. Isaac T.
Hopper was present at this distressing scene, and
suffered almost as acutely as the poor slave himself.
In the midst of his parting words, his master seized
the rope, mounted his horse, snapped his whip, and
set off, driving poor John before him. This was
done in a Christian country, and there was no law to
protect the victim.
58 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
John was conveyed to Washington and offered for
sale to speculators, who were buying up gangs for
the Southern market. The sight of dejected and
brutified slaves, chained together in coffles, was too
common at the seat of our republican government to
attract attention ; but the barbarity of John's master
was so conspicuous, that even there he was rebuked
for his excessive cruelty. These expressions of sym-
pathy were quite unexpected to the poor slave, and
they kindled a faint hope of escape, which had been
smouldering in his breast. Manacled as he was, he
contrived to trip up his master, and leaving him pros-
trate on the ground, he ran for the woods. He was
soon beyond the reach of his tyrant, and might have
escaped easily if a company had not immediately
formed to pursue him. They chased him from the
shelter of the bushes to a swamp, where he was
hunted like a fox, till night with friendly darkness
overshadowed him. While his enemies were sleep-
ing, he cautiously made his way by the light of the
stars, to the house of an old acquaintance, who has-
tened to take off his fetters, and give him a good
supper.
Thus refreshed, he hastened to bid his colored
friend farewell, and with fear and trembling set off
for Philadelphia. He had several rivers to cross, and
he thought likely men would be stationed on the
bridges to arrest him. Therefore, he hid himself in
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 59
the deepest recesses of the woods in the day-time,
and travelled only in the night. He suffered much
with hunger and fatigue, but arrived home at last, to
the great astonishment and joy of his family. He
well knew that these precious moments of affection-
ate greeting were highly dangerous; for his own
roof could afford no shelter from pursuers armed with
I he power of a wicked law. He accordingly hasten-
ed to Isaac T. Hopper for advice and assistance.
The yellow fever was then raging in Philadelphia,
and the children had all been carried into the country
by their mother. Business made it necessary for
Friend Hopper to be in the city during the day-time,
and a colored domestic remained with him to take
charge of the house. This woman was alone when
the fugitive arrived ; but she showed him to an upper
chamber secured by a strong fastening. He had
been there but a short time, when his master came
with two constables and proceeded to search the
house. When they found a room with the door
bolted, they demanded entrance ; and receiving no
answer, they began to consult together how to gain
admittance. At this crisis, the master of the house
came home, and received information of what was
going on up-stairs. He hastened thither, and or-
dered the intruders to quit his house instantly. One
of the constables said, "This gentleman's slave is
60 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
here ; and if you don't deliver him up immediately,
we will get a warrant to search the house."
" Quit my premises," replied Friend Hopper. " The
mayor dare not grant a warrant to search my house."
The men withdrew in no very good humor, and a
message soon came from the mayor requesting to
see Isaac T. Hopper. He obeyed the summons,
and the magistrate said to him, "This gentleman
informs me that his slave is in your house. Is it
so?"
The wary Friend replied, "Thou hast just told
me that this man says he is. Dost thou not believe
him?"
"But I wish to know from yourself whether he is
in your house or not," rejoined the magistrate.
"If the mayor reflects a little, I think he will see
that he has no right to ask such a question; and
that I am not bound to answer it," replied Friend
Hopper. "If he is in my house, and if this man
can prove it, I am liable to a heavy penalty ; and no
man is bound to inform against himself. These
people have not behaved so civilly, that I feel my-
self under any especial obligations of courtesy to-
ward them. Hast thou any further business with
me?"
"Did you say I dared not grant a warrant to search
your house ? " asked the mayor.
He answered, "Indeed I did say so; and I now
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 61
repeat it. I mean no disrespect to anybody in au-
thority ; but neither thou nor any other magistrate
would dare to grant a warrant to search my house.
I am a man of established reputation. I am not a
suspicious character."
The mayor smiled, as he replied, "I don't know
about that, Mr, Hopper. In the present case, I am
inclined to think you are a very suspicious character."
And so they parted.
The master resorted to various stratagems to re-
capture his victim. He dressed himself in Quaker
costume and went to his house. The once happy
home was desolate now; and the anxious wife sat
weeping, with her little ones clinging to her in child-
ish sympathy. The visitor professed to be very
friendly to her husband, and desirous to ascertain
where he could be found, in order to render him ad-
vice and assistance in eluding the vigilance of his
master. The wife prudently declined giving any in-
formation, but referred him to Isaac T. Hopper, as
the most suitable person to consult in the case.
Finding that he could not gain his object by decep-
tion, he forgot to sustain the quiet character he had
assumed, but gave vent to his anger m a great deal
of violent and profane language. He went off, final-
ly, swearing that in spite of them all he would have
his slave again, if he was to be found on the face of
the earth.
62 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOrPER.
John Smith remained under the protection of
Friend Isaac about a week. Spies were seen lurk-
ing round the house for several days ; but they dis-
appeared at last. Supposing this was only a trick
to put them off their guard, a colored man was em-
ployed to run out of the house after dark. The ene-
mies who were lying in ambush, rushed out and laid
violent hands upon him, They released him as soon
as they discovered their mistake ; but the next day
Friend Hopper had them arrested, and compelled
them to enter into bonds for their good behavior.
On the following evening the same man was employ-
ed to run out again ; and this time he was not inter-
rupted. The third evening, John Smith himself ven-
tured forth from his hiding-place, and arrived safely
in New-Jersey.
He let himself to a worthy farmer, and soon gain-
ed the confidence and good will of all the family.
He ate at the same table with them, and sat with
them on Sunday afternoons, listening to their read-
ing of the Scriptures and other religious books.
This system of equality did not diminish the modes-
ty of his deportment, but rather tended to increase
his habitual humility.
He remained there several months, during which
time he never dared to visit his family, though only
eight miles distant from them. This was a great
source of unhappiness; for he was naturally aflfec
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 63
tionate, and was strongly attached to his wife and
children. At length, he ventured to hire a small
house in a very secluded situation, not far from the
village of Iladdonfield: and once more he gathered
Ins family around him. But his domestic comfort
was constantly disturbed by fear of men-stealers.
While at his work in the day-time, he sometimes
started at the mere rustling of a leaf; and in the
night time, he often woke up in agony from terrify-
ing dreams.
The false friend, who betrayed him to his cruel
master, likewise suffered greatly from fear. When
he heard that John had again escaped, he was ex-
ceedingly alarmed for his own safety. He dreamed
that his abused friend came with a knife in one hand
and a torch in the other, threatening to murder him
and burn the house. These ideas took such hold of
his imagination, that he often started up in bed and
screamed aloud. But John was too sincerely reli-
gious to cherish a revengeful spirit. The wrong
done to him was as great as one mortal could inflict
upon another ; but he had learned the divine precept
not to render evil for evil.
The event proved that John's uneasiness was too
well founded. A few months after his family re-
joined him, Isaac T. Hopper heard that his master
had arrived in Philadelphia, and was going to New-
Jersey to arrest him. He immediately apprised him
64 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
of his danger ; and the tidings were received with
feelings of desperation amounting to phrensy. He
loaded his gun and determined to defend himself
Very early the next morning, he saw his master with
two men coming up the narrow lane that led to his
house. He stationed himself in the door-way, level-
ed his gun, and called out, "I will shoot the first man
that crosses that fence !" They were alarmed, and
turned back to procure assistance. John seized that
opportunity to quit his retreat. He hastened to
Philadelphia, and informed Isaac T. Hopper what
had happened. His friend represented to him the
unchristian character of such violent measures, and
advised him not to bring remorse on his soul by
the shedding of blood. The poor hunted fugitive
seemed to be convinced, though it was a hard lesson
to learn in his circumstances. Again he resolved to
fly for safety ; and his friend advised him to go to
Boston. A vessel from that place was then lying in
the Delaware, and the merchant who had charge of
her, pitying his forlorn situation, offered him a pas-
sage free of expense. Kindness bestowed on him
was always like good seed dropped into a rich soil.
He was so obliging and diligent during the voyage,
that he more than compensated the captain for his
passage. He arrived safely in Boston, where his
certificates of good character soon enabled him to
procure employment. Not long after, he sent for his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 65
wife, who sold what little property they had in Phil-
adelphia, and took her children to their new home.
When John left New-Jersey, he assumed the name
of Thomas Cooper, by which he was ever afterward
known. He had early in life manifested a religious
turn of mind; and this w r as probably increased by
his continual perils and narrow escapes. He mourn-
ed over every indication of dishonesty, profanity, or
dissipation, among people of his own color ; and this
feeling grew upon him, until he felt as if it were a
duty to devote his life to missionary labors. He be-
came a popular preacher among the Methodists, and
visited some of the West India Islands in that capa-
city. His christian example and fervid exhorta-
tions, warm from the heart, are said to have produc-
ed a powerful effect on his untutored hearers. After
his return, he concluded to go to Africa as a mission-
ary. For that purpose, he took shipping with his
family for London, w^here he was received with much
kindness by many persons to whom he took letters
of introduction. His children were placed at a good
school by a benevolent member of the Society of
Friends; and from various quarters he received the
most gratifying testimonials of respect and sympa-
thy. But what was of more value than all else to
the poor harassed, fugitive, was the fact that he now,
for the first time in his life, felt entirely safe from
the fangs of the oppressor.
66 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
He remained in London about a year and a half.
During that time he compiled a hymn book which
his friends published with his portrait in front. He
preached with great acceptance to large congrega-
tions : several thousand persons assembled to hear
his farewell sermon on the eve of his departure for
Africa. He sailed for Sierra Leone, in the latter
part of 1818, and w r as greeted there with much cor-
diality ; for his fame had preceded him. All classes
flocked to hear him preach, and his labors were high-
ly useful. After several years spent in the discharge,
of religious duties, he died of the fever which so of-
ten proves fatal to strangers in Africa. His wife
returned with her children to end her days in Phila-
delphia.
A CHILD KIDNAPPED.
In the year 1801, a Captain Dana engaged pas-
sage in a Philadelphia schooner bound to Charleston,
South Carolina. The day he expected to sail, he
called at the house of a colored woman, and told her
he had a good suit of clothes, too small for his own
son, but about the right size for her little boy. He
proposed to take the child home to try the garments,
and if they fitted him he would make him a present
of them. The mother was much gratified by these
friendly professions, and dressed the boy up as well
as she could to accompany the captain, who gave
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 67
him a piece of gingerbread, took him by the hand,
.-Hid led him. away. Instead of going- to his lodgings,
he had promised, he proceeded directly to the
ooner, and Left the boy in care of the captain:
ring that he himself would come on board while
the vessel w us on the way down the river. As they
were about to sail, a sudden storm came on. The
wind raged so violently, that the ship dragged her
anchor, and they were obliged to haul to at a wharf
in the district of Southwark. A respectable man,
who lived in the neighborhood, was standing on the
wharf at the time, and hearing a child crying very
bitterly on board the vessel, he asked the colored
cook whose child that was, and why he was in such
distress. He replied that a passenger by the name
of Dana brought him on board, and that the boy said
he stole him from his mother.
A note was immediately despatched to Isaac T.
Hopper, who, being away from home, did not receive
it till ten o'clock at night. The moment he read it,
he called for a constable, and proceeded directly to
the schooner. In answer to his inquiries, the cap-
tain declared that all the hands had gone on shore,
and that he was entirely alone in the vessel. Friend
I Topper called for a light, and asked him to open the
forecastle, that they might ascertain whether any
person were there. He peremptorily refused ; say-
ing that his word ought to be sufficient to satisfy
68 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
them. Friend Hopper took up an axe that was lying
on the deck, and declared that he would break the
door, unless it was opened immediately. In this
dilemma, the captain, with great reluctance, unlock-
ed the forecastle ; and there they found the cook and
the boy. The constable took them all in custody,
and they proceeded to the mayor's. The rain fell in
torrents, and It was extremely dark; for in those
days, there were no lamps in that part of the city.
They went stumbling over cellar doors, and wading
through gutters, till they arrived in Front street,
where Mr. Inskeep, the mayor, lived. It was past
midnight, but when a servant informed him that Isaac
T. Hopper had been ringing at the door, and wished
to see him, he ordered him to be shown up into his
chamber. After apologizing for the unseasonable-
ness of the hour, he briefly stated the urgency of the
case, and asked for a verbal order to put the captain
and cook in prison to await their trial the next morn-
ing. The magistrate replied, "It is a matter of too
much importance to be disposed of in that way. I
will come down and hear the case." A large hicko-
ry log, which had been covered with ashes in the
parlor fire-place, was raked open, and they soon had
a blazing fire to dry their wet garments, and take
off the chill of a cold March storm. The magistrate
was surprised to find that the captain was an old ac-
quaintance ; and he expressed much regret at meet-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 69
ing him under such unpleasant circumstances. Af-
ter some investigation into the affair, he was required
to appear for trial the next morning, under penalty
of forfeiting three thousand dollars. The cook was
committed to prison, as a witness; and the colored
boy was sent home with Isaac T. Hopper, who
agreed to produce him at the time appointed.
Very early the next morning, he sent a messenger
to inform the mother that her child was in safety ;
but she was off in search of him, and was not to be
found. On the way to the mayor's office, they met
her in the street, half distracted. As soon as she
perceived her child, she cried out, "My son! My.
son !" threw her arms round him, and sobbed aloud.
She kissed him again and again, saying, "Oh my
child, I thought I had lost you forever."
When they all arrived at the mayor's office, at the
hour appointed for trial, the captain protested that
he had no knowledge of anything wrong in the busi-
ness, having merely taken care of the boy at the re
quest of a passenger. When he was required to ap-
pear at the next court to answer to the charge of
kidnapping, he became alarmed, and told where Cap-
tain Dana could be arrested. His directions were
followed, and the delinquent was seized and taken to
Isaac T. Hopper's house. He was in a towering
passion, protesting his innocence, and threatening *
vengeance against everybody who should attempt to
70 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
detain him. Badly as Friend Hopper thought of the
man, he almost wished he had escaped, when he dis-
covered that he had a wife and children to suffer for
his misdoings. His tender heart would not allow
him to be present at the trial, lest his wife should be
there in distress. She did not appear, however, and
Captain Dana made a full confession, alleging pov-
erty as an excuse. He was an educated man, and
had previously sustained a fair reputation. He was
liberated on bail for fifteen hundred dollars, which
was forfeited ; but the judgments were never enforc-
ed against his securities.
WAGELMA.
Wagelma was a lively intelligent colored boy of
ten years old, whom his mother had bound as an ap-
prentice to a Frenchman in Philadelphia. This man
being about to take his family to Baltimore, in the
summer of 1801, with the intention of going thence
to France, put his apprentice on board a Newcastle
packet bound to Baltimore, without having the con-
sent of the boy or his mother, as the laws of Penn-
sylvania required. The mother did not even know
of his intended departure, till she heard that her
child was on board the ship. Fears that he might be
sold into slavery, either in Baltimore or the West In-
dies, seized upon her mind ; and even if that dread-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 71
ful fate did not await him, there was great probabili-
ty that she would never see him again.
In her distress she called upon Isaac T. Hopper,
immediately after sunrise. He hastened to the
wharf, where the Newcastle packet generally lay,
but had the mortification to find that she had already
started, and that a gentle breeze was wafting her
down the stream. He mounted a fleet horse, and in
twenty minutes arrived at Gloucester Point, three
miles below the city. The ferry at that place was
kept by a highly respectable widow, with whom he
had been long acquainted. He briefly stated the
case to her, and she at once ordered one of her ferry-
men to put him on board the Newcastle packet, which
was in sight, and near the Jersey shore. They made
all speed, for there was not a moment to lose.
When they came along-side the packet, the cap-
tain, supposing him to be a passenger for Baltimore,
ordered the sailors to assist him on board. When
his business was made known, he was told that the
Frenchman was in the cabin. He sought him out,
and stated that the laws of Pennsylvania did not al-
low apprentices to be carried out of the state without
certain preliminaries, to which he had not attended.
The Frenchman had six or eight friends with him,
and as he was going out of the country, he put the
laws at defiance. Meanwhile, the vessel was gliding
down the river, carrying friend Hopper to Newcas-
72 LIFE OF ISAAC f. HOPPER.
tie. He summoned the captain, and requested him
to put the colored boy into the ferry-boat, which was
alongside ready to receive him. He was not dispos-
ed to interfere; but when Friend Hopper drew a
volume from his pocket and read to him the laws ap-
plicable to the case, he became alarmed, and said
the boy must be given up. Whereupon, Friend
Hopper directed the child to go on deck, which he
was ready enough to do; and the ferryman soon
helped him on board the boat.
The Frenchman and his friends were very noisy
and violent. They attempted to throw Friend Hop-
per overboard; and there were so many of them,
that they seemed likely to succeed in their efforts.
But he seized one of them fast by the coat ; resolved
to have company in the water, if he were compelled
to take a plunge. They struck his hand with their
canes, and pulled the coat from his grasp. Then he
seized hold of another ; and so the struggle continu-
ed for some minutes. The ferryman, who was watch-
ing the conflict, contrived to bring his boat into a fa-
vorable position ; and Friend Hopper suddenly let go
the Frenchman's coat, and tumbled in.
When he returned to Philadelphia with the boy,
he found the mother waiting at his house, in a state
of intense anxiety. The meeting between mother
and son was joyful indeed ; and Wagelma made them
all laugh by his animated description of his friend's
i.iii; OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 73
encounter with the Frenchmen, accompanied by a
lively imitation of their gesticulations. In witness-
ing the happiness he had imparted, their benefactor
found more than sufficient compensation for all the
difficulties he had encountered.
JAMES POOVEY.
Slavery having been abolished by a gradual pro-
is m Pennsylvania, there were many individuals
who still remained in bondage at the period of which
I write. Among them was James Poovey, slave to
a blacksmith in Pennsylvania. lie had learned his
master's trade, and being an athletic man, was very
valuable. During several winters, he attended an
ning school for the free instruction of colored
people. II* made very slow progress in learning,
but by means of unremitting industry and applica-
tion, he was at last able to accomplish the desire of
his heart, which was to read the New Testament for
himself.
The fact that colored men born a few years later
than himself were free, by the act of gradual eman-
cipation, while he was compelled to remain in bon-
dage, had long been a source of uneasiness; and in-
crease of knowledge by no means increased his con-
tentment. Having come to the conclusion that
slavery was utterly unjust, he resolved not to submit
to it anv longer. In the year 1802. when he was
74 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
about thirty-three years of age, he took occasion to
inform his master that he could read the New Tes-
tament. When he observed that he was glad to hear
it, James replied, "But in the course of my reading
I have discovered that it would be a sin for me to
serve you as a slave any longer".
"Aye?" said his master. "Pray tell me how you
made that discovery."
"Why, the New Testament says we must do as
we would be done by," replied James. "Now if I
submit to let you do by ?ne, as you would not be
willing I should do by you, I am as bad as you are.
If you will give me a paper that will secure my free-
dom at the end of seven years, I will serve you
faithfully during that time ; but I cannot consent to
be a slave any longer."
His master refused to consent to this proposition.
James then asked permission to go to sea till he
could earn money enough to buy his freedom ; but
this proposal was likewise promptly rejected.
"You will get nothing by trying to keep me in
slavery," said James; "for I am determined to be
free. I shall never make you another offer."
He walked off, and his master applied for a warrant
to arrest him, and commit him to prison, as a disobe-
dient and refractory slave. When he had been in jail
a month, he called to see him, and inquired whether
he were ready to return home and go to work.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 75
"I am at home," replied James. "I expect to
end my days here. I never will serve you again as
a slave, or pay you one single cent. What do you
come here for? There is no use in your coming."
The master was greatly provoked by this conduct,
and requested the inspectors to have him put in the
cells and kept on short allowance, till he learned to
submit. Isaac T. Hopper was one of the board; and
as the question was concerning a colored man, they
referred it to him. Accordingly, the blacksmith
sought an interview with him, and said, "Jim has
been a faithful industrious fellow ; but of late he has
taken it into his head that he ought to be free. He
strolled off and refused to work, and I had him put
m prison. When I called to see him he insulted me
grossly, and positively refused to return to his busi-
ness. I have been referred to you to obtain an order
to confine him to the cells on short allowance, till he
submits."
Friend Hopper replied, "I have been long ac-
quainted with Jim. I was one of his teachers ; and
I have often admired his punctuality in attending
school, and his patient industry in trying to learn."
"It has done him no good to learn to read," re-
joined the master. "On the contrary, it has made
him worse."
"It has made him wiser," replied Isaac; "but I
think it has not made him worse. I have scruples
76 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
about ordering him to be punished; for he professes
to be conscientious about submitting to serve as a
slave. I have myself suffered because I could not
conscientiously comply with military requisitions.
The Society of Friends have suffered much in Eng-
land on account of ecclesiastical demands. I have
thus some cause to know how hateful are persecu-
tors, in the sight of God and of men. I cannot
therefore be active in persecuting James, or any
other man, on account of conscientious scruples."
"It is your duty to have him punished," rejoined
the blacksmith.
"I am the best judge of that," answered Friend
Hopper; "and I do not feel justified in compelling
him to submit to slavery."
The blacksmith was greatly exasperated, and went
off, saying, "I hope to mercy your daughter will
marry a negro."
At the expiration of the term of imprisonment
allowed by law, James still refused to return to ser-
vice, and he was committed for another thirty days.
His master called to see him again, and told him if
he would return home, and behave well, he should
have a new suit of clothes and a Methodist hat. "I
don't want your new clothes, nor your Methodist
hat," replied James. "I tell you I never will serve
you nor any other man as a slave. I had rather end
my days in jail."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 77
His master finding him so intractable, gave up the
case as hopeless. When his second term of impri-
sonment expired, he was discharged, and no one
attempted to molest him. He earned a comfortable
living, and looked happy and respectable ; but his
personal appearance was not improved by leaving his
beard un shaved. One day, when Friend Hopper
met him in the street, he said, "Jim, why dost thou
wear that long beard ? It looks very ugly."
"I suppose it does," he replied, "but I wear it as
a* memorial of the Lord's goodness in setting me
free ; for it was Him that done it."
ROMAINE.
A Frenchman by the name of Anthony Salignac
removed from St. Domingo to New- Jersey, and
brought with him several slaves ; among whom was
Romaine. After remaining in New-Jersey several
years, he concluded in 1802, to send Romaine and
his wife and child back to the West Indies. Finding
him extremely reluctant to go, he put them in prison
some days previous, lest they should make an at-
tempt to escape. From prison they were put into a
carriage to be conveyed to Newcastle, under the
custody of a Frenchman and a constable. They
started from Trenton late in the evening, and arrived
in Philadelphia about four o'clock in the morning.
People at the inn where they stopped remarked that
78 LIFE OF ISAAC T. IIOFPER.
Romaine and his wife appeared deeply dejected.
When food was offered they refused to eat. His
wife made some excuse to go out, and though sought
for immediately after, she was not to be found. Ro-
maine was ordered to get into the carriage. The
Frenchman was on one side of him and the consta-
ble on the other. "Must I go?" cried he, in accents
of despair. They told him he must. "And alone?"
said he. "Yes, you must," was the stern reply.
The carriage was open to receive him, and they
would have pushed him in, but he suddenly took a
pruning knife from his pocket, and drew it three
times across his throat with such force that it severed
the jugular vein instantly, and he fell dead on the
pavement.
As the party had travelled all night, seemed in
great haste, and watched their colored companions
so closely some persons belonging to the prison
where they stopped suspected they might have nefa-
rious business on hand ; accordingly, a message was
sent to Isaac T. Hopper, as the man most likely to
right all the wrongs of the oppressed. He obeyed
the summons immediately ; but when he arrived, he
found the body of poor Romaine weltering in blood
on the pavement.
Speaking of this scene forty years later, he said,
" My whole soul was filled with horror, as I stood
viewing the corpse. Reflecting on that awful spec-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 79
tacle, I exclaimed within myself, How long, O Lord,
how long shall this abominable system of slavery be
permitted to curse the land ! My mind was introdu-
ced into sympathy with the sufferer. I thought of
the agony he must have endured before he could have
resolved upon that desperate deed. He knew what
he had to expect, from what he had experienced in
the West Indies before, and he was determined not
to submit to the same misery and degradation again.
By his sufferings he was driven to desperation ; and
he preferred launching into the unknown regions of
eternity to an endurance of slavery.
An inquest was summoned, and after a brief con-
sultation, the coroner brought in the following ver-
dict : " Suicide occasioned by the dread of slavery,
to which the deceased knew himself devoted."
Romaine and his wife were very good looking.
They gave indications of considerable intelligence,
and had the character of having been very faithful
servants. His violent death produced a good deal of
excitement among the people generally, and much
sympathy was manifested for the wife and child, who
had escaped.
The master had procured a certificate from the
mayor of Trenton authorizing him to remove his
slaves to the West Indies; but the jury of inquest,
and many others, were of opinion that his proceed-
ings were not fully sanctioned by law. Accordingly,
80 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Friend Hopper, and two other members of the Abo-
lition Society, caused him to be arrested and brought
before a magistrate ; not so much with the view of
punishing him, as with the hope of procuring manu-
mission for the wife and child. In the course of the
investigation, the friends of the Frenchman were
somewhat violent in his defence. Upon one occa-
sion, several of them took Friend Hopper up and put
him out of the house by main force; while at the
same time they let their friend out of a back door to
avoid him. However, Friend Flopper met him a few
minutes after in the street and seized him by the hut-
Ion. Alarmed by the popular excitement, and by
the perseverance with which he was followed up, he
exclaimed in agitated tones, "Mon Dieu ! What is
it you do want? I will do anything you do want."
I want thee to bestow freedom on that unfortunate
woman and her child," replied Friend Hopper.
He promised that he would do so; and he soon
after made out papers to that effect, which were
duly recorded.
THE SLAVE HUNTER.
In July, 1802, a man by the name of David Lea,
went to Philadelphia to hunt up runaway slaves for
their Southern masters. A few days after his arri-
val, he arrested a colored man, whom lie claimed as
the property of Nathan Peacock of Maryland. The
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 81
man had lived several years in Philadelphia, had
taken a lot of ground in the Northern Liberties, and
erected a small house on it.
In the course of the investigation, the poor fellow,
seeing no chance of escape, acknowledged that he
was Mr. Peacock's slave, and had run away from
him because he wanted to be free. His friends,
being unwilling to see him torn from his wife and
children, made an effort to purchase his freedom.
After much intreaty, the master named a very large
sum as his ransom ; and the slave was committed to
prison until the affair was settled.
David Lea was a filthy looking man, apparently
addicted to intemperance. Friend Hopper asked
him if he had any business in Philadelphia. He
answered, "No." He inquired whether he had any
money, and he answered, "No" Friend Hopper
then said to the magistrate, "Here is a stranger
without money, who admits that he has no regular
means of obtaining a livelihood. Judging from his
appearance, there is reason to conclude that he
may be a dangerous man. I would suggest whether
it be proper that he should be permitted to go at
large."
The magistrate interrogated the suspicious look-
ing stranger concerning his business in Philadelphia;
and he, being ashamed to acknowledge himself a
slave-catcher, returned very evasive and unsatis-
4*
82 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
factory answers. He was accordingly committed
to prison, to answer at the next court of Sessions.
It was customary to examine prisoners before they
were locked up, and take whatever was in their
pockets, to be restored to them whenever they were
discharged. David Lea strongly objected to this
proceeding ; and when they searched him they found
more than fifty advertisements for runaway slaves ;
a fact which made the nature of his business suf-
ficiently obvious. Friend Hopper, had a serious
conversation with him in prison, during which he
stated that he was to have received forty-five dollars
for restoring the slave to his master. Friend Hop-
per told him if he would give an order upon Mr.
Peacock for that amount, to go toward buying the
slave's freedom, he should be released from con-
finement, on condition of leaving the city forthwith.
He agreed to do so, and the money was paid. But
the slave was found to be in debt more than his
small house was worth, and the price for his ransom
w T as so exorbitantly high, that it was impossible to
raise it. Under these circumstances, Friend Hop-
per thought it right to return the forty-five dollars to
David Lea ; but he declined receiving it. He would
take only three dollars, to defray his expenses home ;
and gave the following written document concerning
the remainder : "I request Isaac T. Hopper to pay
the money received from the order, which I gave
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 83
him upon Nathan Peacock, to the managers of the
Pennsylvania Hospital, or to any other charitable
institution he may judge proper. His
David x Lea.
Mark.
He was discharged from prison, and the money
paid to the Pennsylvania Hospital. Next year, the
following item was published in their accounts :
" Received of David Lea, a noted negro-catcher, by
the hands of Isaac T. Hopper, forty-two dollars; he
having received forty-five dollars for taking up a
runaway slave, of which he afterward repented, and
directed the sum to be paid to the Pennsylvania
Hospital, after deducting three dollars to pay his
expenses home."
The slave was carried back to the South, but
escaped again. After encountering many difficulties,
he was at last bought for a sum so small, that it was
merely nominal ; and he afterward lived in Phila-
delphia unmolested.
WILLIAM BACHELOR.
It was a common thing for speculators in slaves
to purchase runaways for much less than their origi-
nal value, and take the risk of not being able to
catch them. In the language of the trade, this was
called buying them running. In April, 1802, Joseph
Ennells and Captain Frazer, of Maryland, dealers
in slaves, purchased a number in this way, and came
84 LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER.
to Philadelphia in search of them. There ihey
arrested, and claimed as their property, William
Bachelor, a free colored man, about sixty years
old. A colored man, whom the slave-dealers brought
with them, swore before a magistrate that William
Bachelor once belonged to a gang of slaves, of which
he was overseer; that he had changed his name, but
he knew him perfectly well. William affirmed in
the most earnest manner, that he was a free man ;
but Mr. Ennells and Captain Frazer appeared to be
such respectable men, and the colored witness swore
so positively, that the magistrate granted a certificate
authorizing them to take him to Maryland.
As they left the office, they were met by Dr. Kin-
ley, who knew William Bachelor well, and had a
great regard for him. Finding that his protestations
had no effect with the Marylanders, he rein with all
speed to Isaac T. Hopper, and entering his door
almost out of breath, exclaimed, "They've got old
William Bachelor, and are taking him to the South,
as a slave. I know him to be a free man. Many
years ago, he was a slave to my father, and he
manumitted him. He used to carry me in his arms
when I was an infant. He was a most faithful
servant."
Friend Hopper inquired which way the party had
gone, and was informed that they went toward
"Gray's Ferry." He immediately started in pursuit,
LIFE OF tSAAC T. HOPPER. 85
and overlook them half a mile from the Schuyl-
kill. He accosted Mr. Ennells politely, and told
him he had made a mistake in capturing William
Bachelor; for he was a free man. Ennells drew a
pistol from his pocket, and said, "We have had
him before a magistrate, and proved to his satis-
faction that the fellow is my slave. I have got his
certificate, and that is all that is required to au-
thorize me to take him home. I will blow your
brains out if you say another word on the subject,
or make any attempt to molest me."
"If thou wert not a coward, thou wouldst not try
to intimidate me with a pistol," replied Isaac. "I
do not believe thou hast the least intention of using
it in any other way; but thou art much agitated,
and may lire it accidentally ; therefore I request
thee not to point it toward me, but to turn it the
other way. It is in vain for thee to think of taking
this old man to Maryland. If thou wilt not return
to the city voluntarily, I will certainly have thee
stopped at the bridge, where thou wilt be likely to
be handled much more roughly than I am disposed
to do."
While this controversy was going on, poor William
Bachelor was in the greatest anxiety of mind. " Oh,
Master Hopper," he exclaimed, " Don't let them take
me ! I am not a slave. All the people in Philadel-
86 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
phia know T am a free man. I never was in Mary-
land in my life."
Ennells, hearing the name, said, "So your name
is Hopper, is it ? I have heard of you. It's time
the world was rid of you. You have done too much
mischief already."
When Friend Hopper inquired what mischief he
had done, he replied, "You have robbed many people
of their slaves."
"Thou art mistaken," rejoined the Quaker. "I
only prevent Southern marauders from robbing peo-
ple of their liberty."
After much altercation, it was agreed to return to
the city ; and William was again brought before the
alderman, who had so hastily surrendered him. Dr.
Kinley, and so many other respectable citizens,
attended as witnesses, that even Ennells himself
was convinced that his captive was a free man.
He was accordingly set at liberty. It was, how-
ever, generally believed that Mr. Ennells knew he
was not a slave when he arrested him. It was
therefore concluded to prosecute him for attempting
to take forcibly a free man out of the state and carry
him into slavery.
When Friend Hopper went to his lodgings with
a warrant and two constables, for this purpose, he
found him writing, with a pistol on each side of him.
The moment they entered, he seized a pistol and
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 67
ordered them to withdraw, or he would shoot them.
Friend Hopper replied, "These men are officers, and
have a warrant to arrest thee for attempting to carry
off a free man into slavery. I advise thee to lay
down thy pistol and go with us. If not, a sufficient
force will soon be brought to compel thee. Remem-
ber thou art in the heart of Philadelphia. It is both
foolish and imprudent to attempt to resist the law.
A pistol is a very unnecessary article here, whatever
it may be elsewhere. According to appearances,
thou dost not attempt to use it for any other purpose
than to frighten people ; and thou hast not succeed-
ed in doing that."
Rage could do nothing in the presence of such
imperturbable calmness; and Ennells consented to
go with them to the magistrate. On the way, he
quarrelled with one of the constables, and gave him
a severe blow on the face with his cane. The officer
knocked him down, and would have repeated the
blow, if Friend Hopper had not interfered. Assisting
Ennells to rise, he said, "Thou hadst better take
my arm and walk with me. I think we can agree
better."
When the transaction had been investigated before
a magistrate, Mr. Ennells was bound over to appear
at the next mayor's court and answer to the charge
against him. The proprietor of the hotel where he
lodged became his bail. Meanwhile, numerous let-
88 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOFPER.
ters came from people of the first respectability in
Maryland and Virginia, testifying to his good charac-
ter. His lawyer showed these letters to Friend
Hopper, and proposed that the prosecution should
be abandoned. He replied that he had no authority
to act in the matter himself; but he knew the Abo-
lition Society had commenced the prosecution from
no vindictive feelings, but merely with the view of
teaching people to be careful how they infringed on
the rights of free men. The committee of that
society met the same evening, and agreed to dismiss
the suit, Mr. Ennells paying the costs; to which lie
readily assented.
LEVIN SMITH.
Levin was a slave in Maryland. He married a
free woman and had several children. In 1802, his
master sold him to a speculator, who was in the
habit of buying slaves for the Southern market.
His purchaser took him to his farm in Delaware,
and kept him at work till he could get a profitable
chance to sell him. His new master was a despe-
rate fellow, and Levin was uneasy with the constant
liability of being sold to the far South. He opened
his heart to a neighbor, who advised him to escape,
and gave him a letter to Isaac T. Hopper. His w T ife
and children had removed to Philadelphia, and there
he rejoined them. She took in washing, and he sup-
LIFE OF rSAAC T. HOPPER. 89
ported himself by sawing wood. He had been there
little more than a month, when his master heard
where he was, and bargained with the captain of a small
sloop to catch him and bring him back to Delaware.
The plan was to seize Levin in his bed, hurry him
on hoard the sloop, and start off immediately, before
his family could have time to give the alarm. They
would probably have succeeded in this project, if the
captain had not drank a little too freely the evening
previous, and so forgotten to get some goods on
hoard, as he had. promised. Levin was seized and
carried off; but the sloop was obliged to wait for the
ods, and in the meantime messengers were sent to
Isaac T. Hopper, lie was in bed, but sprang up
the instant he heard a violent knocking at the door.
In his haste, he thrust on an old rough coat and hat,
which he was accustomed to wear to fires; for, in
addition to his various other employments, he be-
longed to a fire-company. He hurried to the scene
of action as quickly as possible, and found that the
slave had been conveyed to a small tavern near the
wharf where the sloop lay. When the landlord was
questioned where the men were who had him in
custody, he refused to give any information. But
there w T as a crowd of men and boys ; and one # of
ihcrn said, "They are up-stairs in the back room."
The landlord stood in the door-way, and tried to pre-
vent Friend Hopper from passing in ; but he pushed
90 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
him aside, and went up to the chamber, where he
"found Levin with his hands tied, and guarded by five
or six men. "What are you going to do with this
man ?" said he. The words were scarcely out of his
mouth, before they seized him violently and pitched
him out of the chamber window. He fell upon
empty casks, and his mind was so excited, that he
was not aware of being hurt. There was no time
to be lost ; for unless there was an immediate res-
cue, the man would be forced on board the sloop and
carried off. As soon as he could get upon his feet,
he went round again to the front door and ascended
the stairs ; but the door of the chamber was locked.
He then returned to the back yard, mounted upon
the pent-house, by means of a high board fence, and
clambered into the window of a chamber, that open-
ed into the room where the slave was. He entered
with an open penknife in his hand, exclaiming, " Let
us see if you will get me out so soon again !" Speak-
ing thus, he instantly cut the cords that bound the
slave, and called out, " Follow me !" He rushed
down stairs as fast as he could go, and the slave af-
ter him. The guard were utterly astonished at see-
ing the man return, whom they had just tossed out
of an upper window, and the whole thing was done
so suddenly, that Friend Hopper and the liberated
captive were in the street before they had time to
recover their wits.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 91
A rowdy looking crowd of men and boys followed
the fugitive and his protector, shouting, "Stop thief!
Slop thief!" until they came to the office of a justice
of the peace, half a mile from where they started.
The astonished magistrate exclaimed, " Good hea-
vens, Mr. Hopper, what brings you here this time of
the morning, in such a trim, and with such a rabble
at your heels !" When the circumstances were
briefly explained, he laughed heartily, and said, "I
don't think they would have treated you so roughly,
if they had known who you were." He was inform-
ed that Levin was a slave in Maryland, but had been
living in Delaware with a man who bought him, and
had thus become legally free. Measures were taken
to protect him from further aggression, and he was
never after molested.
Friend Hopper went home to a late breakfast ; and
when he attempted to rise from the table, he was
seized with violent pains in the back, in consequence
of his fall. He never after entirely recovered from
the effects of it.
ETIENNE LAMAIRE.
This man was a slave to a Frenchman of the same
name, in the Island of Guadaloupe. In considera-
tion of faithful services, his master gave him his free-
dom, and he opened a barber's shop on his own ac-
count. Some time after, he was appointed an officer
92 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
in the French army, against Victor Hughes. He
had command of a fort, and remained in the army
until the close of the war. After that period, there
were symptoms of insurrection among the colored
people, because the French government revoked the
decree abolishing slavery in their West India Islands.
Etienne was a man of talent, and had acquired con-
siderable influence, particularly among people of his
own color. He exerted this influence on the side of
mercy, and was the means of saving the lives of
several white people who had rendered themselves
obnoxious by their efforts to restore slavery.
Affairs were so unsettled in Guadaloupe, that Eti-
enne determined to seek refuge in the United States ;
and an old friend of his master procured a passport
for him. A man by the name of Anslong, then at
Guadaloupe, had two slaves, whom he was about to
send to the care of Dennis Cottineau, of Philadel-
phia, with directions to place them on a farm he
owned, near Princeton, New-Jersey. When it was
proposed that Etienne should take passage in the
same vessel, Anslong manifested much interest in
his behalf. He promised that he should have his
passage free, for services that he might render on
board ; and he took charge of his passport, saying
that he would give it to the captain for safe keeping.
When the vessel arrived at Philadelphia, in March,
1S03, Etienne was astonished to find that Anslong
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 93
had paid his passage, and claimed him as his slave.
Dennis Cottineau showed the receipts for the pas-
sage money, and written directions to forward the
three Blares to New-Jersey. In this dilemma, he
asked counsel of a colored man, whom he had for-
merly known in Guadaloupe; and he immediately
conducted him to Isaac T. Hopper. He related the
particulars of his case very circumstantially, and the
two colored men, who were really the slaves of Ans-
long, confirmed his statement. When Friend Hop-
per had cautiously examined them, and cross-exam-
ined them, he became perfectly satisfied that Etienne
whs free. He advised him not to leave the city, and
told him to let him know in case Dennis Cottineau
attempted to compel him to do so. He accordingly
waited upon that gentleman and told him he had re-
solved not to submit to his orders to go to New-Jer-
sey. Whereupon Cottineau took possession of his
trunk, containing his papers and clothing, and caused
him to be committed to prison.
A writ of habeas corpus was procured, and the
case was brought before Judge Inskeep, of the Court
of Common Pleas. It w T as found to be involved in
considerable difficulty. For while several witnesses
swore that they knew Etienne in Guadaloupe, as. a
free man, in business for himself, others testified that
they had known him as the slave of Anslong. It
was finally referred to the Supreme Court, and Eti-
94 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
enne was detained in prison several months to await
his trial. Eminent counsel were employed on both
sides; Jared Ingersoll for the claimant, and Joseph
Hopkinson for the defendant. A certificate was pro-
duced from the municipality of Guadaloupe, show-
ing that Etienne had been an officer in the French
army for several years, and had filled the station in
a manner to command respect. The National De-
cree abolishing slavery in that Island was also read ;
but Mr. Ingersoll contended that when the decree
was revoked, Etienne again became a slave. In his
charge, Judge Shippen said that the evidence for and
against freedom was about equally balanced ; and in
that case, it was always a duty to decide in favor of
liberty. The jury accordingly brought in a unani-
mous verdict that Etienne was free. The court or-
dered him to refund the twenty dollars, which Anslong
had paid for his passage ; and he was discharged.
He was a dark mulatto, tall, well-proportioned,
and stylish-looking. His handsome countenance had
a remarkably bright, frank expression, and there was
a degree of courteous dignity in his manner, proba-
bly acquired by companionship with military officers.
But he belonged to a caste which society has forbid-
den to develop the faculties bestowed by nature.
Such a man might have performed some higher use
than cutting hair, if he had lived in a wisely organiz-
ed state of society. However, he made the best of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 95
such advantages as he had. He opened a barber's
shop in Philadelphia, and attracted many of the most
highly respectable citizens by his perfect politeness
and punctuality. The colored people had various
benevolent societies in that city, for the relief of the
poor, the sick, and the aged, of their own complex-
ion. Etienne Lamaire was appointed treasurer of
several of these societies, and discharged his trust
with scrupulous integrity.
Isaac T. Hopper had been very active and vigi-
lant in assisting him to regain his freedom ; and af-
terward, when he became involved in some difficulty
on account of stolen goods left on his premises with-
out his knowledge, he readily became bail for him.
His confidence had not been misplaced ; for when
the affair had been fully investigated, the recorder
declared that Mr. Lamaire had acted like an honest
and prudent man, throughout the whole transaction.
His gratitude to Friend Hopper was unbounded,
and he missed no opportunity to manifest it. To
the day of his death, some fourteen or fifteen years
ago, he never would charge a cent for shaving, or
cutting the hair of any of the family, children, or
grand-children; and on New Year's day, he fre-
quently sent a box of figs, or raisins, or bon-bons, in
token of grateful remembrance.
0(> LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
SAMUEL JOHNSON.
Samuel Johnson was a free colored man in the
state of Delaware. He married a woman who was
slave to George Black. They had several children,
and when they became old enough to be of some
value as property, their parents were continually
anxious lest Mr. Black should sell them to some
Georgia speculator, to relieve himself from pecunia-
ry embarrassment; an expedient which" was very of-
ten resorted to under such circumstances. When
Johnson visited his wife, they often talked together
on the subject ; and at last they concluded to escape
to a free state. They went to Philadelphia and
hired a small house. He sawed wood, and she took
in washing. Being industrious and frugal, they
managed to live very comfortably, except the con-
tinual dread of being discovered.
In December, 1804, when they had been thus
situated about two years, her master obtained some
tidings of them, and immediately went in pursuit.
A friend happened to become aware of the fact, and
hastened to inform them that Mr. Black was in the
city. Samuel forthwith sent his wife and children
to a place of safety ; but he remained at home, not
supposing that he could be in any danger. The
master arrived shortly after, with two constables,
and was greatly exasperated when he found that his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 97
property had absconded. They arrested the hus-
band, and vowed they would hold him as a hostage,
till he informed them where they could find his wife
and children. When he refused to accompany them,
they beat him severely, and swore they would carry
him to the South and sell him. He told them they
might carry him into slavery, or murder him, if they
pleased, but no torture they could inflict would ever
induce him toJjetray his family. Finding they could
not break hiWesolution, they tied his hands behind
his back, and dragged him to a tavern kept by Peter
Fritz, in Sassafras-street. There they left him,
guarded by the landlord and several men, while they
went in search of the fugitives.
Some of Johnson's colored neighbors informed
Isaac T. Hopper of these proceedings ; and he went
to the tavern, accompanied by a friend. They at-
tempted to enter the room occupied by Samuel and
his guard, but found the door fastened, and the land-
lord refused to unlock it. When they inquired by
what authority he made his tavern a prison, he re-
plied that the man was placed in his custody by two
constables, and should not be released till they came
for him.
"Open the door!" said Friend Hopper; "or we
will soon have it opened in a way that will cost
something to repair it. Thou hast already made
thyself liable to an action for false imprisonment.
98 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
If thou art not very careful, thou wilt find thyself
involved in trouble for this business."
The landlord swore a good deal, but finding them
so resolute, he concluded it was best to open the
door. After obtaining the particulars of the case
from Johnson himself, Friend Hopper cut the cord
that bound his hands, and said, " Follow me !"
The men on guard poured forth a volley of threats
and curses. One of them sprang forward in great
fury, siezed Johnson by the collar, ancKwore by his
Maker that he should not leave the room till the
constables arrived. Friend Hopper stepped up to
him, and said, " Release that man immediately ! or
thou wilt be made to repent of thy conduct." The
ruffian quailed under the influence of that calm bold
manner, and after some slight altercation let go his
grasp.
Johnson followed his protector in a state of in-
tense anxiety concerning his wife and children. But
they had been conveyed to a place of safety, and
the man-hunters never afterward discovered their
retreat.
PIERCE BUTLER'S BEN.
In August, 1804, a colored man about thirty-six
years old waited upon the committee of the Abo-
lition Society, and stated that he was born a slave
to Pierce Butler, Esq., of South Carolina, and had
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 99
always lived in his family. During the last eleven
years, he had resided most of the time in Pennsylva-
nia. Mr. Butler now proposed taking him to Geor-
gia ; but he was very unwilling to leave his wife, she
being in delicate health and needing his support.
After mature consideration of the case, the commit-
tee, believing Ben was legally entitled to freedom,
agreed to apply to Judge Inskeep for a writ of habeas
corpus ; and Isaac T. Hopper was sent to serve it
upon Pierce Butler, Esq., at his house in Chestnut-
street.
Being told that Mr. Butler was at dinner, he said
he would wait in the hall until it suited his conve-
nience to attend to him. Mr. Butler was a tall, lord-
ly looking man, somewhat imperious in his manners,
as slaveholders are wont to be. When he came into
the hall after dinner, Friend Hopper gave him a nod
of recognition, and said, "How art thou, Pierce But-
ler? I have here a writ of habeas corpus for thy
Ben."
Mr. Butler glanced over the paper, and exclaimed,
" Get out of my house, you scoundrel !"
Feigning not to hear him, Friend Hopper looked
round at the pictures and rich furniture, and said
with a smile, "Why, thou livest like a nabob here !"
" Get out of my house, I say !" repeated Mr. But-
ler, stamping violently.
"This paper on the walls is the handsomest I ever
100 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
saw," continued Isaac. " Is it French, or English ?
It surely cannot have been manufactured in this
country." Talking thus, and looking leisurely about
him as he went, he moved deliberately toward the
door; the slaveholder railing at him furiously all the
while.
" I am a citizen of South Carolina," said he.
" The laws of Pennsylvania have nothing to do with
me. May the devil take all those who come be-
tween masters and their slaves ; interfering with
what is none of their business." Supposing that his
troublesome guest was deaf, he put his head close to
his ear, and roared out his maledictions in stentorian
tones.
Friend Hopper appeared unconscious of all this.
When he reached the threshold, he turned round
and said, "Farewell. We shall expect to see thee
at Judge Inskeep's."
This imperturbable manner irritated the hot-blood-
ed slave-holder beyond endurance. He repeated
more vociferously than ever, " Get out of my house,
you scoundrel ! If you don't, I'll kick you out."
The Quaker walked quietly away, as if he didn't
hear a word.
At the appointed time, Mr. Butler waited upon
the Judge, where he found Friend Hopper in atten-
dance. The sight of him renewed his wrath. He
cursed those who interfered with his property ; and
LIFE OP ISAAC T. IIOPPER. 101
taking up the Bible, said he was willing to swear
upon that book that he would not take fifteen hun-
dred dollars for Ben. Friend Hopper charged him
with injustice in wishing to deprive the man of his
legal right to freedom. Mr. Butler maintained that
he was as benevolent as any other man.
"Thou benevolent!" exclaimed Friend Hopper.
"Why, thou art not even just. Thou hast already
sent back into bondage two men, who were legally
entitled to freedom by staying in Philadelphia dur-
ing the term prescribed by law. If thou hadst a
proper sense of justice, thou wouldst bring those
men back, and let them take the liberty that right-
fully belongs to them."
" If you were in a different walk of life, I would
treat your insult as it deserves," replied the haughty
Southerner.
"What dost thou mean by that? asked Isaac.
Wouldst thou shoot me, as Burr did Hamilton? I
assure thee I should consider it no honor to be killed
by a member of Congress ; and surely there would
be neither honor nor comfort in killing thee ; for in
thy present state of mind thou art not fit to die."
Mr. Butler told the judge he believed that man
was either deaf or crazy when he served the writ
of habeas corpus ; for he did not take the slightest
notice of anything that was said to him. Judge Ins-
102 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
keep smiled as he answered, "You don't know Mr.
Hopper as well as we do,"
A lawyer was procured for Ben ; but Mr. Butler
chose to manage his own cause. He maintained
that he was only a sojourner in Pennsylvania; that
Ben had never resided six months at any one time in
that State, except while he was a member of Con-
gress ; and in that case, the law allowed him to keep
his slave in Pennsylvania as long as he pleased.
The case was deemed an important one, and was
twice adjourned for further investigation. In the
course of the argument, Mr. Butler admitted that he
returned from Congress to Philadelphia, with Ben,
on the second of January, 1804, and had remained
there with him until the writ of habeas corpus was
served, on the third of August, the same year. The
lawyers gave it as their opinion that Ben's legal
right to freedom was too plain to admit of any
doubt. They said the law to w T hich Mr. Butler had
alluded was made for the convenience of Southern
gentlemen, who might need the attendance of their
personal slaves, when Congress met in Philadelphia ;
but since the seat of government was removed, it by
no means authorized members to come into Penn-
sylvania with their slaves, and keep them there as
long as they chose. After much debate, the judge
gave an order discharging Ben from all restraint,
and he walked off rejoicing.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 103
His master was very indignant at the decision,
and complained loudly that a Pennsylvania court
should presume to discharge a Carolinian slave.
When Ben was set at liberty, he let himself to
Isaac W. Morris, then living at his country seat
called Cedar Grove, three miles from Philadelphia.
Being sent to the city soon after, on some business
for his employer, he was attached by the marshall
of the United States, on a writ De homine replegian-
do, at the suit of Mr. Butler, and two thousand dol-
lars were demanded for bail. The idea was proba-
bly entertained that so large an amount could not be
procured, and thus Ben would again come into his
master's possession. But Isaac T. Hopper and Tho-
mas Harrison signed the bail-bond, and Ben was
again set at liberty, to await his trial before the Cir-
cuit Court of the United States. Bushrod Wash-
ington, himself a slaveholder, presided in that court,
and Mr. Butler was sanguine that he should succeed
in having Judge Inskeep's decision reversed. The
case was brought in October, 1806, before Judges
Bushrod Washington and Richard Peters. It was
ably argued by counsel on both sides. The court
discharged Ben, and he enjoyed his liberty thence-
forth without interruption.
104 1.1 FE OF ISA\C 'J'. HOPPER.
DANIEL BENSON.
Daniel and his mother were slaves to Perry Boots,
of Delaware. His master was in the habit of letting
him out to neighboring farmers and receiving the
wages himself. Daniel had married a free woman,
and they had several children, mostly supported by
her industry. His mother was old and helpless ; and
the master, finding it rather burdensome to support
her, told Daniel that if he would take charge of her,
and pay him forty dollars a year, he might go where
he pleased.
The ofFer was gladly accepted; and in 1805 he
removed to Philadelphia, with his mother and family.
He sawed wood for a living, and soon established
such a character for industry and honesty, that many
of the citizens were in the habit of employing him to
purchase their wood and prepare it for the winter.
Upon one occasion, when he brought in a bill to
Alderman Todd, that gentleman asked if he had not
charged rather high. Daniel excused himself by
saying he had an aged mother to support, in addition
to his own family ; and that he punctually paid his
master twenty dollars every six months, according
to an agreement he had made with him. When the
alderman heard the particulars, his sympathy was
excited, and he wrote a note to Isaac T. Hopper,
requesting him to examine into the case; stating his
own opinion that Daniel had a legal right to freedom.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 105
The wood-sawyer started off with the note with
great alacrity, and delivered it to Friend Hopper,
saying in very animated tones, "Squire Todd thinks
I am free !" He was in a state of great agitation
between hope and fear. When he had told his story,
he was sent home to get receipts for all the money
he had paid his master since his arrival in Philadel-
phia. It was easy to prove from these that he had
been a resident in Pennsylvania, with his owner's
consent, a much longer time than the law required
to make him a free man. When Friend Hopper
gave him this information, he was overjoyed. He
could hardly believe it. The tidings seemed too
good to be true. When assured that he was cer-
tainly free, beyond all dispute, and that he need not
pay any more of his hard earnings to a master, the
tears came to his eyes, and he started off to bring
his wife, that she also might hear the glad news.
When Friend Hopper was an old man, he often used
to remark how well he remembered their beaming
countenances on that occasion, and their warm ex-
pressions of gratitude to God.
Soon after this interview, a letter was addressed
to Perry Boots, in-forming him that his slave was
legally free, and that he need not expect to receive
any more of his wages. He came to Philadelphia
immediately, to answer the letter in person. His
5*
106 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
first salutation was, "Where can I find that ungrate-
ful villain Dan? I will take him home in irons."
Friend Hopper replied, "Thou wilt find thyself
relieved from such an unpleasant task; for I can
easily convince thee that the law sustains thy slave
in taking his freedom."
Reading the law did not satisfy him. He said he
would consult a lawyer, and call again. When he
returned, he found Daniel waiting to see him ; and
he immediately began to upbraid him for being so
ungrateful. Daniel replied, " Master Perry, it was
not justice that made me your slave. It was the
law ; and you took advantage of it. Now, the law
makes me free ; and ought you to blame me for tak-
ing the advantage which it offers me ? But suppose
I were not free, what would you be willing to take
to manumit me?"
His master, somewhat softened, said, "Why,
Dan, I always intended to set you free some time or
other."
"I am nearly forty years old," rejoined his bonds-
man, "and if I am ever to be free, I think it is high
time now. What would you be willing to take for
a deed of manumission V
Mr. Boots answered, "Why I think you ought to
give me a hundred dollars."
"Would that satisfy you, master Perry ? Well, I
can pay you a hundred dollars," said Daniel.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 107
Here Friend Hopper interfered, and observed there
was nothing- rightfully due to the master ; that if
justice were done in the case, he ought to pay Daniel
for his labor ever since he was twenty-one years old.
The colored man replied, "I was a slave to mas-
ter Perry's father ; and he was kind to me. Master
Perry and I are about the same age. We were
brought up more like two brothers, than like master
and slave. I can better afford to give him a hun-
dred dollars, than he can afford to do without it. I
will go home and get the money, if you will make
out the necessary papers while I am gone."
Surprised and gratified by the nobility of soul
manifested in these words, Friend Hopper said no
more to dissuade him from his generous purpose.
He brought one hundred silver dollars, and Perry
Boots signed a receipt for it, accompanied by a deed
of manumission. He wished to have it inserted in
the deed that he was not to be responsible for the
support of the old woman. But Daniel objected ;
saying, "Such an agreement would imply that I
would not voluntarily support my poor old mother."
When the business was concluded, he invited his
former master and Friend Hopper to dine with him ;
saying, "We are going to have a pretty good din-
ner, in honor of the day." Mr. Boots accepted the
invitation ; but Friend Hopper excused himself, on
account of an engagement that would detain him till
108 LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER.
after dinner. When he called, he found they had
not yet risen from the table, on which were the re-
mains of a roasted turkey, a variety of vegetables,
and a decanter of wine. Friend Hopper smiled when
Daniel remarked, "I know master Perry loves a lit-
tle brandy ; but I did not like to get brandy ; so I
bought a quart of Mr. Morris' best wine, and thought
perhaps that would do instead. I never drink any-
thing but water myself."
Soon after Daniel Benson became a free man, he
gave up sawing wood, and opened a shop for the sale
of second-hand clothing. He was successful in bu-
siness, brought up his family very reputably, and
supported his mother comfortably to the end of her
days. For many years, he was class-leader in a
Methodist church for colored people, and his correct
deportment gained the respect of all w 7 ho knew him.
If slavery w T ere ever justifiable, under any circum-
stances, which of these two characters ought to have
been the master, and which the slave ?
THE QUICK-WITTED SLAVE.
About the year 1805, a colored man, who belonged
to Colonel Hopper, of Maryland, escaped with his
wife and children, who were also slaves. He went
to Philadelphia and hired a small house in Green's
Court, where he lived several months before his
master discovered his retreat. As soon as he ob-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 109
tainejj tidings of him, he went to Philadelphia, and
applied to Richard Hunt, a constable who was much
employed as a slave hunter. Having procured a
warrant, they went together, in search of the fugi-
tives. It was about dusk, and the poor man just re-
turned from daily toil, was sitting peacefully with
his wife and children, when in rushed his old master,
accompanied by the constable.
With extraordinary presence of mind, the colored
man sprang up, and throwing his arms round his
master's neck, exclaimed, " O, my dear master, how
glad I am to see you ! I thought I should like to be
free ; but I had a great deal rather be a slave. I
can't get work, and w T e have almost starved. I
would have returned home, but I was afraid you
would sell me to the Georgia men. I beg your par-
don a thousand times. If you will only forgive me,
I will go back with you, and never leave you again."
The master was very agreeably surprised by this
reception, and readily promised forgiveness. He
was about to dismiss the constable, but the slave
urged him to stay a few minutes. "I have earned a
little money to-day, for a rarity," said he; "and I
want to go out and buy something to drink ; for I
suppose old master must be tired." He stepped out,
and soon returned with a quantity of gin, with which
he liberally supplied his guests. He knew full well
that they were both men of intemperate habits ; so
110 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
he talked gaily about affairs in Maryland, making
various inquiries concerning what had happened since
he left ; and ever and anon he replenished their glass-
es with gin. It was not long before they were com-
pletely insensible to all that was going on around
them. The colored man and his family then made
speedy preparations for departure. While Colonel
Hopper and the constable lay in the profound stupor
of intoxication, they were on the way to New Jersey,
with all their household goods, where they found a
safe place of refuge before the rising of the sun.
When consciousness returned to the sleepers, they
were astonished to find themselves alone in the
house ; and as soon as they could rally their wits,
they set off in search of the fugitives. After spend-
ing several days without finding any track of them,
the master called upon Isaac T. Hopper. He com-
plained bitterly of his servant's ingratitude in ab-
sconding from him, and of the trick he had played
to deceive him. He said he and his family had al-
ways been extremely comfortable in Maryland, and
it was a great piece of folly in them to have quitted
such a happy condition. He concluded by asking
for assistance in tracing them ; promising to treat
them as kindly as if they were his own children, if
they would return to him.
Friend Hopper replied, " If the man were as happy
with thee as thou hast represented, he will doubtless
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. Ill
return voluntarily, and my assistance will be quite
unnecessary. I do not justify falsehood and decep-
tion ; but I am by no means surprised at them in one
who has always been a slave, and had before him
the example of slaveholders. Why thou shouldst ac-
cuse him of ingratitude, is more than I can compre-
hend. It seems to me that he owes thee nothing.
On the contrary, I should suppose that thou wert
indebted to him ; for I understand that he has served
thee more than thirty years without wages. So far
from helping thee to hunt the poor fugitives, I will,
with all my heart, do my utmost to keep them out
of thy grasp."
" Have you seen my man ?" inquired the slave-
holder.
"He came to me when he left his own house in
Green's Court," replied Friend Hopper ; "and I gave
him such advice on that occasion, as I thought pro-
per. Thou art the first slaveholder I ever met with
bearing my name. Perhaps thou hast assumed it, as
a means of gaining the confidence of colored people,
to aid thee in recapturing the objects of thy avarice."
The Colonel replied that it was really his name,
and departed without having gained much satisfac-
tion from the interview. He remained in Philadel-
phia a week or ten days, where he was seized with
mania a potu. He was carried home in a straight
jacket, where he soon after died.
112 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
A few months after these transactions, the slave
called to see Friend Hopper. He laughed till he
could hardly stand, while he described the method
he had taken to elude his old master, and the comi-
cal scene that followed with him and the constable.
" I knew his weak side," said he. "I knew where
to touch him."
Friend Hopper inquired whether he was not aware
that it was wrong to tell falsehoods, and to get men
drunk.
" I suppose it was wrong," he replied. "But lib-
erty is sweet ; and none of us know what we would
do to secure it, till we are tried."
He afterward returned to Philadelphia, where he
supported his family comfortably, and remained un-
molested.
JAMES DAVIS.
In 1795, James escaped from bondage in Mary-
land, and went to Philadelphia, where he soon after
married. He remained undisturbed for ten years,
during which time he supported himself and family
comfortably by sawing wood. But one day, in the
year 1805, his master called to see him, accompanied
by two other men, who were city constables. He
appeared to be very friendly, asked James how he
was getting along, and said he was glad to see him
doing so well. At last, he remarked, "As you left
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER 113
my service without leave, I think you ought to make
me some compensation for your time. Autumn is
now coming on, and as that is always a busy season
for wood-sawyers, perhaps you can make me a small
payment at that time."
This insidious conversation threw James com-
pletely off his guard, and he promised to make an
effort to raise some money for his master. As
soon as he had said enough to prove that he was his
bondsman, the slaveholder threw off the mask of
kindness, and ordered the constables to seize and
hand-cuff him. His wife and children shrieked aloud,
and Isaac T. Hopper, who happened to be walking
through the street at the time, hastened to ascertain
the cause of such alarming sounds. Entering the
house, he found the colored man hand-cuffed, and
his wife and children making the loud lamentations,
which had arrested his attention. The poor woman
told how her husband had been duped by friendly
words, and now he was to be torn from his family
and carried off into slavery. Friend Hopper's feel-
ings were deeply affected at witnessing such a heart-
rending scene, and he exerted his utmost eloquence
to turn the master from his cruel purpose. The wife
and children wept and entreated also ; but it was all
in vain. He replied to their expostulations by ridi-
cule, and proceeded to hurry his victim off to prison.
The children clung round Friend Hopper's knees,
114 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
crying and sobbing, and begging that he would not
let those men take away their father. But the fact
that the poor fellow had acknowledged himself a
slave rendered resistance hopeless. He was taken
before a magistrate, and thence to prison.
Friend Hopper was with him when his master
came the next day to carry him away. With a
countenance expressive of deepest anguish, the un-
happy creature begged to speak a word in private,
before his master entered. When Friend Hopper
took him into an adjoining room, he exclaimed in an
imploring tone, " Can't you give me some advice V*
Agitated by most painful sympathy, the Friend knew
not what to answer. After a moment's hesitation,
he said, "Don't try to run away till thou art sure
thou hast a good chance." This was all he could do
for the poor fellow. He was obliged to submit to
seeing him bound with cords, put into a carriage, and
driven off like a sheep to the slaughter-house.
He was conveyed to Maryland and lodged in jail.
Several weeks after, he was taken thence and sold
to a speculator, who was making up a coffle of slaves
for the far South. After crossing the Susquehanna,
they stopped at a miserable tavern, where the specu-
lator and his companions drank pretty freely, and
then began to amuse themselves by shooting at a
mark. They placed the slave by the tavern door,
where they could see him. W T hile he sat there,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 115
thinking of his wife and children, feeling sad and for-
lorn beyond description, he noticed that a fisherman
drew near the shore with a small boat, to which
was fastened a rope and a heavy stone, to supply the
place of an anchor. When he saw the man step out
of the boat and throw the stone on the ground,
Friend Hopper's parting advice instantly flashed
through his mind. Hardship, scanty food, and above
all, continual distress of mind, had considerably re-
duced his flesh. He looked at his emaciated hands,
and thought it might be possible to slip them through
his iron cuffs. He proceeded cautiously, and when
he saw that his guard were too busy loading their
pistols to watch him, he released himself from his
irons by a violent effort, ran to the river, threw the
stone anchor into the boat, jumped in, and pushed
for the opposite shore. The noise attracted the at-
tention of his guard, who threatened him with instant
death if he did not return. They loaded their pis-
tols as quickly as possible, and fired after him, but
luckily missed their aim. James succeeded in reach-
ing the opposite side of the river, where he set the
boat adrift, lest some one should take it back and
enable them to pursue him. He bent his course to-
ward Philadelphia, and on arriving there, went di-
rectly to Friend Hopper's house. He had become
so haggard and emaciated, that his friend could
hardly believe it was James Davis who stood before
116 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
him. He said he dared not go near his old home,
and begged that some place might be provided where
he could meet his wife and children in safety. This
was accomplished, and Friend Hopper w T as present
when the poor harassed fugitive was restored to his
family. He described the scene as affecting beyond
description. The children, some of whom were very
small, twined their little arms round him, eagerly in-
quiring, " Where have you been ? How did you get
away ?" and his wife sobbed aloud, while she hugged
the lost one to her heart.
The next morning he was sent to Bucks County
in a market wagon. Some friends there procured a
small house for him, and his family soon joined him.
He was enabled to earn a comfortable living, and his
place of retreat was never afterward discovered by
enemies of the human family.
MARY HOJ.LIDAY.
A very light mulatto girl, named Fanny, w r as slave
to the widow of John Sears, in Maryland. When
about twenty-four years old, she escaped to Phila-
delphia, and lived in the family of Isaac W. Morris,
where she was known by the assumed name of Mary
Holliday. She was honest, prudent, and industrious,
and the family became much attached to her. She
had not been there many months when her mistress
obtained tidings of her, and went to Philadelphia,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 117
accompanied by a man named Dutton. She was
arrested on the seventh of June, 1805, and taken be-
fore Matthew Lawler, who was then mayor. Isaac
W. Morris immediately waited on Isaac T. Hopper
to inform him of the circumstance, and they pro-
ceeded together to the mayor's office.
Dutton, being examined as a witness, testified that
he knew a mulatto named Fanny, who belonged to
Mrs. Sears, and he believed the woman present,
called Mary Holliday, was that person. Mary de
nied that she was the slave of the claimant, or that
her name was Fanny ; but her agitation was very
evident, though she tried hard to conceal it.
Friend Hopper remarked to the mayor, "This
case requires testimony as strong as if the woman
were on trial for her life, which is of less value than
liberty. I object to the testimony as insufficient ;
for the witness cannot say positively that he knows
she is the same person, but only that he believes so.
Wouldst thou consider such evidence satisfactory in
the case of a white person ?"
The mayor who was not friendly to colored peo-
ple, replied, "I should not; but I consider it suffi-
cient in such cases as these."
"How dark must the complexion be, to justify
thee in receiving such uncertain evidence ?" inquired
Friend Hopper.
118 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
The mayor pointed to the prisoner and said, "As
dark as that woman."
"What wouldst thou think of such testimony in
case of thy own daughter ?" rejoined Friend Hopper.
"There is very little difference between her com-
plexion and that of the woman now standing before
thee."
He made no reply, but over-ruled the objection to
the evidence. He consented, however, to postpone
the case three days, to give time to procure testimo-
ny in her favor.
Isaac W. Morris soon after called upon Friend
Hopper and said, " Mary has acknowledged to us
that her name is Fanny, and that she belongs to Mrs.
Sears. My family are all very much attached to
her, and they cannot bear the thought of her being
carried away into slavery. I will advance three
hundred dollars, if thou wilt obtain her freedom."
Friend Hopper accordingly called upon Mrs. Sears,
and after stipulating that nothing said on either side
should be made use of in the trial, he offered two
hundred dollars for a deed of manumission. The
offer w r as promptly rejected. After considerable dis-
cussion, three hundred and fifty dollars were offered;
for it was very desirable to have the case settled
without being obliged to resort to an expensive and
uncertain process of law. Mrs. Sears replied, " Tt is
in vain to treat with me on the subject ; for I am
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 119
determined not to sell the woman on any terms. I
will take her back to Maryland, and make an exam-
ple of her."
"I hope thou wilt find thyself disappointed," re-
joined Friend Hopper. The slaveholder merely an-
swered with a malicious smile, as if perfectly sure of
her triumph.
Finding himself disappointed in his attempts to
purchase the woman, Friend Hopper resolved to
carry the case to a higher court, and accumulate
as many legal obstructions as possible. For that
purpose, he obtained a writ De homine replegiando,
and when the suitable occasion arrived, he accompa-
nied Mary Holliday to the mayor's office, with a
deputy sheriff to serve the writ W^en the trial
came on, he again urged the insufficiency of proof
brought by the claimant. The mayor replied, in a
tone somewhat peremptory, "I have already decid-
ed that matter. I shall deliver the slave to her
mistress."
Friend Hopper gave the sheriff a signal to serve
the writ. He was a novice in the business, but in
obedience to the instructions given him, he laid his
hand on Mary's shoulder, and said, "By virtue of
this writ, I replevin this woman, and deliver her to
Mr. Hopper."
Her protector immediately said to her, " Thou
canst now go home with me." But her mistress
120 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
seized her by the arm, and said she should not go.
The mayor was little acquainted with legal forms,
beyond the usual routine of city business. He seem-
ed much surprised, and inquired what the writ was.
"It is a homine replegiando" replied Friend Hop-
per.
"I don't understand what that means," said the
mayor.
"It is none the less powerful on that account,"
rejoined Friend Hopper. "It has taken the woman
out of thy power, and delivered her to another tribu-
nal."
During this conversation, the mistress kept her
grasp upon Mary. Friend Hopper appealed to the
mayor, again repeating that the girl was now to
await the decision of another court. He accordingly
told Mrs. Sears it was necessary to let her go. She
asked what was to be done in such a case. The
mayor, completely puzzled, and somewhat vexed,
replied impatiently, "I don't know. You must ask
Mr. Hopper. His laws are above mine. I thought
I knew something about the business ; but it seems
I don't."
Mary went home with her protector, and Mrs.
Sears employed Alexander J. Dallas as counsel.
The case was kept pending in the Supreme Court a
long time ; for no man understood better than Friend
Hopper how to multiply difficulties. Mrs. Sears fre-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOFPER. 121
quently attended, bringing witnesses with her from
Maryland ; which of course involved much trouble
and expense. After several years, the trial came on;
but it was found she had left some of her principal
witnesses at home. Most of the forenoon was spent
in disputes about points of law, and the admissibility
of certain evidence. The court then adjourned to
three in the afternoon.
Mrs. Sears was informed that even if the court
adjudged Mary to be her slave, Friend Hopper would
doubtless fail to produce her, and they would be
compelled to go through another process to recover
from him the penalty of the bond. She had become
exceedingly weary of the law, the trouble and ex-
pense of which had far exceeded her expectations.
She therefore instructed her lawyer to try to effect a
compromise. Friend Hopper, being consulted for
this purpose, offered to pay two hundred and fifty
dollars for Mary, if the claimant would pay the costs.
She accepted the terms, well pleased to escape from
further litigation.
When the court met in the afternoon, they were
informed that the matter was settled ; and the jury
with consent of parties, rendered a verdict that Mary
was free. By her own earnings, and donations from
sympathizing friends, she gradually repaid Isaac W.
Morris three hundred dollars toward the sum he had
advanced for the expenses of her trial.
6
122 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
In his efforts to protect the rights and redress the
wrongs of colored people, Friend Hopper had a zeal-
ous and faithful ally in Thomas Harrison, also a
member of the Society of Friends. When recount-
ing the adventures they had together, he used to say,
" That name excites pleasant emotions whenever it
occurs to me. I shall always reverence his memory.
He was my precursor in Philadelphia, as the friend
of the slave, and my coadjutor in scores of cases for
their relief. His soul was always alive to the suf-
ferings of his fellow creatures, and dipped into sym-
pathy with the oppressed ; not that idle sympathy
that can be satisfied with lamenting their condition,
and make no exertions for their relief; but sympa-
thy, like the apostle's faith, manifesting itself in
works, and extending its influence to all within its
reach."
Thomas Harrison was a lively, bustling man, with
a roguish twinkle in his eye, and a humorous style
of talking. Some Friends, of more quiet tempera-
ments than himself, thought he had more activity
than was consistent with dignity. They reminded
him that Mary sat still at the feet of Jesus, while
Martha was "troubled about many things."
"All that is very well," replied Thomas; "but
Mary would have had a late breakfast, after all, if it
had not been for Martha."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 123
From among various anecdotes in which Friend
Harrison's name occurs, I select the following :
JAMES LAWLER.
James was a slave to Mr. Mc Calmont of Dela-
ware. In 1805, when he was about thirty years old,
he escaped to New-Jersey and let himself out to a
farmer. After he had been there a few months,
several runaway slaves in his neighborhood were ar-
rested and carried back to the South. This alarmed
him, and he became very anxious that some person
should advance a sum of money sufficient to redeem
him from bondage, which he would bind himself to
repay by labor. Finding, that his employer abhorred
slavery, and was very friendly to colored people, he
ventured to open his heart to him ; and Isaac T.
Hopper was consulted on the subject.
The first step was to write to Mr. Mc Calmont to
ascertain what were the lowest terms on which he
would manumit his slave. The master soon came
in person, accompanied by a Philadelphia merchant,
who testified that his friend Mc Calmont was a high-
ly respectable man, and treated his slaves with great
kindness. He said James would be much happier
with his master than he could be in any other situa-
tion, and strongly urged Friend Hopper to tell where
he might be found.
He replied, " It does not appear that James thought
124 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
himself so happy, or he would not have left his ser-
vice. Even if I had no objection to slavery, I should
still be bound by every principle of honor not to be-
tray the confidence reposed in me. But feeling as
it is well known I do on that subject, I am surprised
thou shouldst make such a proposition to me."
They then called upon Thomas Harrison, and
tried to enlist him in their favor by repeating how
well James had been treated, and how happy he
was in slavery. Friend Harrison replied, in his
ironical way, "O, I know very well that slaves sleep
on feather beds, while their master's children sleep
on straw ; that they eat white bread, and their
master's children eat brown. But enclose ten acres
with a high wall, plant it with Lombardy poplars
and the most beautiful shrubbery, build a magnifi-
cent castle in the midst of it, give thee pen, ink, and
paper, to write about the political elections in which
thou art so much interested, load thee with the best
of everything thy heart could desire, still I think
thou would st want to get out beyond the wall."
The master, being unable to ascertain where his
slave could be found, finally informed Friend Hop-
per that he would manumit him on the receipt of
one hundred and fifty dollars. Mr. John Hart, a drug-
gist, generously advanced the sum, and James was
indentured to him for the term of five years. Before
the contract was concluded, somebody remarked
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 125
that perhaps he would repeat his old trick of run-
ning away. "I am not afraid of that," replied Mr.
Hart. "I will tic him by the teeth ; " meaning he
would feed him well.
In fact, James now appeared quite satisfied. His
new master and mistress were kind to him, and he
was faithful and diligent in their service. When a
year or two had elapsed, he asked permission to
visit his old master and fellow servants. Mr. Hart
kept a carriage, which he seldom used in the winter,
and he told James he might take one of the horses.
This suited his taste exactly. He mounted a noble
looking animal, with handsome saddle and bridle,
and trotted off to Delaware. When he arrived,
he tied the horse and went into the kitchen. Mr.
Mc Calmont coming home soon after, and observing
a very fine horse in his yard, supposed he must have
some distinguished visitor. Upon inquiry, he was
informed that Jim rode the horse there, and was
then in the kitchen. He went out and spoke very
pleasantly to his former slave, and said he was glad
to see him. Being informed that the horse belonged
to his new master, Mr. Hart, who had kindly per-
mitted him to use it, he ordered the animal to be
taken to the stable and supplied with hay and oats.
James was treated kindly by all the family, and
spent two days very agreeably. When about to
take leave, Mr. Mc Calmont said to him, "Well,
126 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Jim, I am glad to find that you have a good master,
and are happy. But I had rather you would not
come here again in the style you now have; for it
will make my people dissatisfied."
James returned much pleased with his excursion,
and soon went to give Friend Hopper an account of
it. He served out his time faithfully, and remained
afterward in the same family, as a hired servant.
WILLIAM ANDERSON.
William was a slave in Virginia. When about
twenty-five years old, he left his master and went
to Philadelphia with two of his fellow slaves ; giving
as a reason that he wanted to try whether he could n't
do something for* himself. When they had been
absent a few months, their master "sold them run-
ning" to Mr. Joseph Ennells, a speculator in slaves,
who procured a warrant and constable, and repaired
to Philadelphia in search of his newly acquired pro-
perty. They arrived on Saturday, a day when many
people congregated at the horse-market. Ennells
soon espied the three fugitives among the crowd,
and made an attempt to pounce upon them. Lucki-
ly, they saw the movement, and dodging quickly
among the multitude, they escaped.
After spending some days in search of them, En-
nells called upon Isaac T. Hopper and Thomas
Harrison, and offered to sell them very cheap if
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 127
they would hunt them up. Friend Hopper immedi-
ately recognized him as the man who had threat-
ened to blow out his brains, when he went to the
rescue of old William Bachelor ; and he thus ad-
dressed him : " I would advise thee to go home and
obtain thy living in some more honorable way ; for
the trade in which thou art engaged is a most odious
one. On a former occasion thou wert treated with
leniency ; and I recommend a similar course to thee
with regard to these poor fugitives."
The speculator finally agreed to sell the three
men for two hundred and fifty dollars. The money
was paid, and he returned home. In the course of
a few days William Anderson called upon Isaac T.
Hopper for advice. He informed him that Thomas
Harrison had bought him and his companions, and
told him he had better find the other two, and go
and make a bargain with Friend Harrison concerning
the payment. He called accordingly, and offered to
bind himself as a servant until he had earned enough
to repay the money that had been advanced ; but he
said he had searched in vain for the two companions
of his flight. They had left the city abruptly, and
he could not ascertain where they had gone. Tho-
mas Harrison said to him, "Perhaps thou art not
aware that thou hast a legal claim to thy freedom
already ; for I am a citizen of Pennsylvania, and
the laws here do not allow any man to hold a slave."
128 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
William replied, "I am too grateful for the kind-
ness you have shown me, to feel any disposition
to take advantage of that circumstance. If I live,
you shall never lose a single cent on my account."
He was soon after indentured to Mr. Jacob Down-
ing a respectable merchant of Philadelphia, who
agreed to pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars
for his services. This was half of the money ad-
vanced for all of them. William served the stipu-
lated time faithfully. His master said he never had
a more honest and useful servant; and he on his
part always spoke of the family with great respect
and affection.
When the time of his indenture had expired, he
called upon his old benefactor, Thomas Harrison.
After renewing his grateful acknowledgments for
the service rendered to him in extremity, he inquired
whether anything had ever been heard from the two
other fugitives. Being answered in the negative, he
replied, "Well, Mr. Harrison, you paid two hundred
and fifty dollars for us, and you have not been able
to find my companions. You have received only
one hundred and twenty-five dollars. It is not right
that you should lose by your kindness to us. I am
willing you should bind me again to make up the
balance."
" Honest fellow ! Honest fellow ! " exclaimed Tho •
mas Harrison. "Go about thy business. Thou hast
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 129
paid thy share, and I have no further claim upon
thee. Conduct as well as thou hast done since I
have known thee, and thou wilt surely prosper."
Friend Hopper happened to be present at this in-
terview; and he used to say, many years afterward,
that he should never forget how it made his heart
glow to witness such honorable and disinterested
conduct. The two other fugitives were never heard
of, and Friend Harrison of course lost one hundred
and twenty-five dollars. William frequently called
upon his benefactors, and always conducted in the
most exemplary manner.
SARAH ROACH.
Sarah Roach, a light mulatto, was sold by her
master in Maryland to a man residing in Delaware.
The laws of Delaware prohibit the introduction of
slaves, unless brought into the state by persons in-
tending to reside there permanently. If brought
under other circumstances they become free. Sarah
remained with her new master several years before
she was made aware of this fact. Meanwhile, she
gave birth to a daughter, who was of course free, if
the mother was free at the time she w T as born. At
last, some one informed the bondwoman that her
master had no legal claim to her services. She then
left him and went to Philadelphia. But she re-
mained ignorant of the fact that her daughter was
6*
130 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
free, in consequence of the universal maxim of slave
law, that "the child follows the condition of the
mother."
When the girl was about sixteen years old, she
absconded from Delaware, and went to her mother,
who inquired of Isaac T. Hopper what was the best
method of eluding the vigilance of her master. After
ascertaining the circumstances, he told her that her
daughter was legally free, and instructed her to
inform him in case any person attempted to arrest
her.
Her claimant soon discovered her place of abode,
and in the summer of 1806 went in pursuit of her.
Being aware that his claim had no foundation in law,
he did not attempt to establish it before any magis-
trate, but seized the girl and hurried her on board a
sloop, that lay near Spruce-street wharf, unloading
staves. Fearing she would be wrested from him by
the city authorities, he removed the vessel from the
wharf and anchored near an island between Phila-
delphia and New-Jersey. A boat was placed along-
side the sloop, into which the cargo was unloaded
and carried to the wharf they had left.
The mother went to Isaac T. Hopper in great
distress, and informed him of the transaction. He
immediately made application to an alderman, who
issued a process to have the girl brought before him.
Guided by two colored men, who had followed her
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 131
when she was carried off, he immediately proceeded
to the sloop, accompanied by an officer. When the
claimant saw them appoaching, he went into the
cabin for his gun, and threatened them with instant
death if they came near his vessel. Friend Hopper
quietly told the men to go ahead and pay no atten-
tion to his threats. When they moored their boat
alongside of the one into which they were unloading
staves, he became very vociferous, and pointing his
gun at Friend Hopper's breast, swore he should not
enter the vessel.
He replied, "I have an officer with me, and I have
authority from a magistrate to bring before him a
girl now in thy vessel. I think we are prepared to
show that she is free."
The man still kept his gun pointed, and told them
to beware how they attempted to come on board.
"If thou shouldst injure any person, it would be
impossible for thee to escape," replied Friend Hop-
per; "for thou art a hundred and twenty miles from
the Capes, with hundreds of people on the wharf to
witness thy deed."
While speaking thus, he advanced toward him
until he came near enough to sieze hold of the gun
and turn it aside. The man made a violent jerk to
wrest the weapon from him, and still clinging fast
hold of it he was pulled on board. In the scuffle to
regain possession of his gun, the man trod upon a
132 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
roller on the deck, lost his balance, and fell sprawling
on his back. Friend Hopper seized that opportunity
to throw the gun overboard. Whereupon, a sailor
near by siezed an axe and came toward him in a
great rage. Even if the courageous Quaker had
wished to escape, there was no chance to do so.
He advanced to meet the sailor, and looking him
full in the face said, "Thou foolish fellow, dost thou
think to frighten me with that axe, when thy com-
panion could not do it with his gun? Put the axe
down. Thou art resisting legal authority, and liable
to suffer severely for thy conduct."
In a short time they became more moderate, but
denied that the girl was on board. The vessel was
nearly emptied of her cargo, and Friend Hopper
peeping into the hold found her stowed away in a
remote part of it. He brought her on deck and
took her with him into the boat, of which his com-
panions, including the constable, had retained pos-
session.
The girl was uncommonly handsome, with straight
hair and regular European features. No one could
have guessed from her countenance that any of her
remote ancestors were Africans.
The claimant did not make his appearance at the
alderman's office. A warrant was obtained charging
him and the sailor with having resisted an officer in
the discharge of his duty. Isaac T. Hopper returned
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 133
to the sloop with a constable and brought the two
men before a magistrate to answer to this charge.
They did not attempt to deny the truth of it, but
tried to excuse themselves on the plea that they re-
sisted an attempt to take away their property. Of
course, this was of no avail, and they were obliged
to enter into bonds for their appearance at court.
Being strangers in the city, it was difficult to obtain
bail, and there seemed to be no alternative but a
prison. However, as there must unavoidably be
considerable trouble and delay in procuring all the
necessary evidence concerning the birth of the al-
leged slave, her friends agreed to dismiss them, if
they would pay all expenses, give each of the officers
five dollars, and manumit the girl. Under existing
circumstances, they were glad to avail themselves of
the offer ; and so the affair was settled.
ZEKE.
A. man by the name of Daniel Godwin, in the
lower part of Delaware, made a business of buying
slaves running ; taking the risk of losing the small
sums paid for them under such circumstances. In
the year 1806, he purchased in this way a slave
named Ezekiel, familiarly called Zeke. He went to
Philadelphia, and called on Isaac T. Hopper ; think-
ing if he knew where the man was, he would be
glad to have his freedom secured on moderate terms.
134 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
While they were talking together, a black man hap-
pened to walk in, and leaning on the counter looked
up in Mr. Godwin's face all the time he was telling
the story of his bargain. When he had done speak-
ing, he said, " How do you do, Mr. Godwin? Don't
you know me ?"
The speculator answered that he did not.
"Then you don't remember a man that lived with
your neighbor, Mr. ?" continued he.
Mr. Godwin was at first puzzled to recollect whom
he meant ; but when he had specified the time, and
various other particulars, he said he did remember
such a person.
"Well," answered the black man, "I am he ; and
I am Zeke's brother."
The speculator inquired whether he knew where
he was.
He replied, "O yes, Mr. Godwin, I know where
he is, well enough. But I'm sorry you've bought
Zeke. You'll never make anything out of him. A
bad speculation, Mr. Godwin."
"Why, what's the matter with Zeke?" asked the
trader.
" O, these blacks come to Philadelphia and they
get into bad company," replied he. "They are
afraid to be seen in the day-time, and so they go
prowling about in the night. I'm very sorry you've
LJFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 135
bought Zeke. He'll never do you one cent's worth
of good. A bad speculation, Mr. Godwin."
The prospect seemed rather discouraging, and the
trader said, " Come now, suppose you buy Zeke
yourself? I'll sell him low."
"If I bought him, I should only have to maintain
him into the bargain," replied the black man. "He's
my brother, to be sure ; but then he'll never be good
for anything."
"Perhaps he would behave better if he was free,"
urged Mr. Godwin.
"That's the only chance there is of his ever doing
any better," responded the colored man. "But I'm
very doubtful about it. If I should make up my
mind to give him a chance, what would you be will-
ing to sell him for V
The speculator named one hundred and fifty dol-
lars.
"Poh! Poh !" exclaimed the other. "I tell you
Zeke will never be worth a cent to you or anybody
else. A hundred and fifty dollars, indeed !"
The parley continued some time longer, and the
case seemed such a hopeless one, that Mr. Godwin
finally agreed to take sixty dollars. The colored
man went off, and soon returned with the required
sum. Isaac T. Hopper drew up a deed of manu-
mission, in which the purchaser requested him to in-
sert that Zeke was now commonly called Samuel
136 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Johnson. The money was paid, and the deed signed
with all necessary formalities. When the business
was entirely completed, the colored man said, " Zeke
is now free, is he ?" When Mr. Godwin answered,
" Yes," he turned to Friend Hopper and repeated the
question : "Zeke is free, and nobody can take him ;
can they, Mr. Hopper ? If he was here, he would
be in no danger ; would he ?"
Friend Hopper replied, " Wherever Zeke may
now be, I assure thee he is free."
Being thus assured, the black man made a low
bow, and with a droll expression of countenance said,
"I hope you are very well, Mr. Godwin. I am hap-
py to see you, sir. I am Zeke !"
The speculator, finding himself thus outwitted,
flew into a violent rage. He seized Zeke by the
collar, and began to threaten and abuse him. But
the colored man shook his fist at him, and said, "If
you don't let me go, Mr. Godwin, I'll knock you
down. I'm a free citizen of these United States ;
and I won't be insulted in this way by anybody."
Friend Hopper interfered between them, and Mr.
Godwin agreed to go before a magistrate to have the
case examined. When the particulars had been re-
counted, the magistrate answered, "You have been
outwitted, sir. Zeke is now as free as any man in
this room."
There was something so exhilarating in the con-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 137
sciousness of being his own man, that Zeke began
to "feel his oats," as the saying is. He said to the
magistrate, "May it please your honor to grant me
a warrant against Mr. Godwin ? He violently seized
me by the collar ; thus committing assault and bat-
tery on a free citizen of these United States."
Friend Hopper told him he had better be satisfied
with that day's work, and let Mr. Godwin go home.
He yielded to this expostulation, though he might
have made considerable trouble by insisting upon
retaliation.
POOR AMY.
A Frenchman named M. Bouiila resided in Spring
Garden, Philadelphia, in the year 1806. He and a
woman, who had lived with him some time, had in
their employ a mulatto girl of nine years old, called
Amy. Dreadful stories were in circulation concern-
ing their cruel treatment to this child ; and compas-
sionate neighbors had frequently solicited Friend
Hopper's interference. After a while, he heard they
were about to send her into the country ; and fear-
ing she might be sold into slavery, he called upon
M. Bouiila to inquire whither she was going. As
soon as he made known his business, the door was
unceremoniously slammed in his face and locked.
A note was then sent to the Frenchman, asking for
a friendly interview ; but he returned a verbal an-
swer. "Tell Mr. Hopper to mind his own business."
138 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Considering it his business to protect an abused
child, he applied to a magistrate for a warrant, and
proceeded to the house, accompanied by his friend
Thomas Harrison and a constable. As soon as they
entered the door, M. Bouilla ran up-stairs, and arm-
ing himself with a gun, threatened to shoot whoever
advanced toward him. Being blind, however, he could
only point the gun at random in the direction of their
voices, or of any noise which might reach his ear.
The officer refused to attempt his arrest under such
peril ; saying, he was under no obligation to risk his
life. Friend Hopper expostulated with the French-
man, explained the nature of their errand, and urged
him to come down and have the matter inquired into
in an amicable way. But he would not listen, and
persisted in swearing he would shoot the first person
who attempted to come near him. At last, Friend
Hopper took off his shoes, stepped up-stairs very
softly and quickly, and just as the Frenchman be-
came aware of his near approach, he seized the gun
and held it over his shoulder. It discharged instant-
ly, and shattered the plastering of the stairway, mak-
ing it fly in all directions. There arose a loud cry,
"Mr. Hopper's killed ! Mr. Hopper's killed !"
The gun being thus rendered harmless, the French-
man was soon arrested, and they all proceeded to the
the magistrate's office, accompanied by several of the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 139
neighbors. There was abundant evidence that the
child had been half starved, unmercifully beaten, and
tortured, in various ways. Indeed, she was such a
poor, emaciated, miserable looking object, that her
appearance was of itself enough to prove the cruel
treatment she had received. When the case had
been fully investigated, the magistrate ordered her
to be consigned to the care of Isaac T. Hopper, who
hastened home with her, being anxious lest his wife
should accidentally hear the rumor that he had been
shot.
He afterwards ascertained that Amy was daughter
of the white woman who had aided in thus shame-
fully abusing her. He kept her in his family till she
became well and strong, and then bound her to one
of his friends in the country to serve till she was
eighteen. She grew up a very pretty girl, and de-
ported herself to the entire satisfaction of the family.
When her period of service had expired, she returned
to Philadelphia, where her conduct continued very
exemplary. She frequently called to see Friend
Hopper, and often expressed gratitude to him for
having rescued her from such a miserable condition.
MANUEL.
Manuel was an active, intelligent slave in North
Carolina. His master, Mr. Joseph Spear, a tar
manufacturer, employed him to transport tar, and
140 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
other produce of the place, down Tar river to Tar-
borough. After laboring several years for another's
benefit, Manuel began to feel anxious to derive some
advantage from his own earnings. He had children,
and it troubled him to think that they must live and
die in slavery. He was acquainted w r ith a colored
man in the neighborhood, named Samuel Curtis, who
had a certificate of freedom draw T n up by the clerk
of the county, and duly authenticated, with the
county seal attached to it. Manuel thought he could
easily pass for Samuel Curtis, and make his way to
Philadelphia, if he could only obtain possession of
this valuable paper. He accordingly made him a
confidant of his plans, and he bought the certificate
for two dollars.
The next time Manuel was sent to Tarborough,
he delivered the cargo as usual, then left the boat
and started for the North. He arrived safely in
Philadelphia, where he assumed the name of Samuel
Curtis, and earned a living by sweeping chimneys.
In a short time, he had several boys in his employ,
and laid by money. When he had been going on
thus for about two years, he was suddenly met in the
street by one of the neighbors of his old master, who
immediately arrested him as a fugitive from slavery.
He was taken before Robert Wharton, then mayor.
The stranger declared that the colored man he had
seized was a slave, belonging to one of his near
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 141
neighbors in North Carolina. Samuel denied that
he was a slave, and showed his certificate of free-
dom. The stranger admitted that the document was
authentic, but he insisted that the real name of the
person who had possession of the paper was Manuel.
He said he knew him perfectly well, and also knew
Samuel Curtis, who was a free colored man in his
neighborhood. The mayor decided that he could
not receive parole evidence in contradiction to a pub-
lic record ; and Samuel Curtis was set at liberty.
To the honor of this worthy magistrate be it re-
corded that during forty years whilst he was alder-
man in Philadelphia, and twenty years that he
was mayor, he never once surrendered a fugitive
slave to his claimant, though frequently called upon
to do so. He used to tell Friend Hopper that he
could not conscientiously do it ; that he would rather
resign his office. He often remarked that the De-
claration, "All men are created equal ; they are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights ; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness ;" appeared to him based on a sacred
principle, paramount to all law.
When Samuel Curtis was discharged, he deemed
it expedient to go to Boston ; thinking he might be
safer there than in Philadelphia. But he had not
been there many days, before he met the same man
who had previously arrested him; and he by no
142 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
means felt sure that the mayor of that city would
prove as friendly to the colored people as was Robert
Wharton. To add to his troubles, some villain broke
open his trunk while he was absent from his lodg-
ings, and stole a hundred and fifty dollars of his hard
earnings. The poor fugitive began to think there
was no safe resting-place for him on the face of the
earth. He returned to Philadelphia disconsolate
and anxious. He was extremely diligent and frugal,
and every year he contrived to save some money,
which he put out at interest in safe hands. At last,
he was able to purchase a small lot in Powell-street,
on which he built a good three-story brick house,
where he lived with his apprentices, and let some of
the rooms at a good profit.
In 1807, he called upon Friend Hopper and told
him that his eagerness to make money had chiefly
arisen from a strong desire to redeem his children
from bondage. But being a slave himself, he said it
was impossible for him to go in search of them, un-
less his own manumission could be obtained. It
happened that a friend of Isaac T. Hopper was go-
ing to North Carolina. He agreed to see the master
and ascertain what could be done. Mr. Spear never
expected to hear from his slave again, and the propo-
sition to buy him after so many years had elapsed,
seemed like finding a sum of money. He readily
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 143
agreed to make out a bill of sale for one hundred
dollars, which was immediately paid.
The first use Samuel Curtis made of the freedom
he had purchased was to set off for the South in
search of his children. To protect himself as much
as possible from the perils of such an undertaking,
he obtained a certificate of good character, signed by
the mayor of Philadelphia, and several of the most
respectable citizens. They also gave him " a pass"
stating the object of his journey, and commending
him to the protecting kindness of those among whom
he might find it necessary to travel. With these he
carefully packed his deed of manumission, and set
forth on his errand of paternal love. When he went
to take leave of Friend Hopper, he was much agitat-
ed. He clasped his hand fervently, and the tears
flowed fast down his w r eather-beaten cheeks. "I
know I am going into the midst of danger," said he.
" Perhaps I may be seized and sold into slavery.
But I am willing to hazard everything, even my own
liberty, if I can only secure the freedom of my chil-
dren. I have been a slave myself, and I know what
slaves suffer. Farewell ! Farewell, my good friend.
May God bless you, and may he restore to me my
children. Then I shall be a happy man."
He started on his journey, and went directly to
his former master to obtain information. He did not
at first recognize his old servant. But when he be-
144 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
came convinced that the person before him was the
identical Manuel, who had formerly been his slave,
he seemed pleased to see him, entertained him kind-
ly, and inquired how he had managed to get money
enough to buy his children.
The real Samuel Curtis, who sold him the certifi-
cate of freedom, was dead ; and since he could no
longer be endangered by a statement of particulars,
the spurious Samuel related the whole story of his
escape, and of his subsequent struggles ; concluding
the whole by expressing an earnest wish to find his
children.
Mr. Spear had sold them, some years before, to a
man in South Carolina ; and thither the father went
in search of them. On arriving at the designated
place, he found they had been sold into Georgia.
He went to Georgia, and was told they had been
sold to a man in Tennessee. He followed them into
Tennessee, but there he lost all track of them. Af-
ter the most patient and diligent search, he was
compelled to return home without further tidings of
them.
As soon as he arrived in Philadelphia, he went to
Isaac T. Hopper to tell how the cherished plan of his
life had been frustrated. He seemed greatly deject-
ed, and wept bitterly. "I have deprived myself of
almost every comfort," said he; "that I might save
money to buy my poor children. But now they are
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 145
not to be found, and my money gives me no satis-
faction. The only consolation I have is the hope
that they are all dead."
The bereaved old man never afterward seemed to
take comfort in anything. He sunk into a settled
melancholy, and did not long survive his disappoint-
ment.
SLAVEHOLDERS MOLLIFIED.
In the winter of 1808, several Virginia planters
went to Philadelphia to search for eleven slaves, who
had absconded. Most of these colored people had
been there several years, and some of them had ac-
quired a little property. Their masters had ascer-
tained where they lived, and one evening, when they
returned from their acustomed labors, unconscious
of danger impending over them, they were pounced
upon suddenly and conveyed to prison. It was late
at night when this took place, and Friend Hopper
did not hear of it till the next morning.
He had risen very early, according to his usual
custom, and upon opening his front door he found a
letter slipped under it, addressed to him. This
anonymous epistle informed him that eleven slaves
had been arrested, and were to be tried before Al-
derman Douglass that morning; that the owners
were gentlemen of wealth and high standing, and
ould produce the most satisfactory evidence that
146 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the persons arrested were their slaves ; consequently
Friend Hoppers attendance could be of no possible
benefit to them. It went on to say that the magis-
trate understood his business, and could do justice
without his assistance ; but if, notwithstanding this
warning, he did attend at the magistrate's office, for
the purpose of wresting from these gentlemen their
property, his house would be burned while himself
and family were asleep in it, and his life would cer-
tainly be taken. The writer invoked the most aw-
ful imprecations upon himself if he did not carry
these threats into execution.
Friend Hopper was too much accustomed to such
epistles to be disturbed by them. He put it in his
pocket, and said nothing about it, lest his wife should
be alarmed. A few minutes afterward, he received
a message from some colored people begging him to
go to the assistance of the fugitives ; and when the
trial came on, he was at the alderman's office, of
course. Richard Rush was counsel for the claim-
ants. The colored prisoners had no lawyer. This
examination was carried on with much earnestness
and excitement. One of the Virginians failed in
proof as to the identity of the person he claimed. In
the case of several others, the power of attorney was
pronounced informal by the magistrate. After a
long protracted controversy, during which Friend
Hopper threw as many difficulties in the way as
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 147
possible, it was decided that four of the persons in
custody were proved to be slaves, and the other
seven were discharged. This decision greatly exas
perated the Southerners, and they vented their anger
in very violent expressions. The constables em-
ployed were unprincipled men, ready for any low
Imsiness, provided it were profitable. The man-hun-
ters had engaged to give them fifty dollars for each
slave they were enabled to take back to Virginia ;
but they were to receive nothing for those who were
discharged. Hence, their extreme anxiety to avoid
Friend Hopper's interference. When they found
that more than half of their destined prey had slip-
ped through their fingers, they were furious. One
of them especially raved like a madman. He had
written the anonymous letter, and was truly "a lewd
fellow of the baser sort."
Friend Hopper's feelings were too much interested
for those who had been decreed slaves, to think any-
thing of the abuse bestowed on himself. All of
them, three men and one woman, were married to
free persons ; and it was heart-breaking to hear their
lamentations at the prospect of being separated for-
ever. There was a general manifestation of sympa-
thy, and even the slaveholders were moved to com-
passion. Friend Hopper opened a negotiation with
them in behalf of the Abolition Society, and they
finally consented to manumit them all for seven hun-
148 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
dred dollars. The money was advanced by a Friend
named Thomas Phipps, and the poor slaves returned
to their humble homes rejoicing. They repaid every
farthing of the money, and ever after manifested the
liveliest gratitude to their benefactors.
When the anger of the Southerners had somewhat
cooled, Friend Hopper invited them to come and see
him. They called, and spent the evening in discuss-
ing the subject of slavery. When they parted from
the veteran abolitionist, it was with mutual courtesy
and kindliness. They said they respected him for
acting so consistently with his own principles ; and
if they held the same opinions, they should doubtless
pursue the same course.
This was a polite concession, but it was based on
a false foundation ; for it assumed that it was a
mere matter of opinion whether slavery were right
or wrong ; whereas it is a palpable violation of im-
mutable principles of justice. They might as well
have made the same remark about murder or rob-
bery, if they had lived where a selfish majority were
strong enough to get those crimes sanctioned by law
and custom. The Bedouin considers himself no rob-
ber because he forcibly takes as much toll as he
pleases from all who pass through the desert. His
ancestors established the custom, and he is not one
whit the less an Arab gentleman, because he perpe-
tuates their peculiar institution. Perhaps he also
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 149
would say that if he held the same opinions as more
honest Mahometans, he would do as they do. In
former days, custom made it honorable to steal a
neighbor's cattle, on the Scottish border ; as many
Americans now deem it respectable to take children
from poor defenceless neighbors, and sell them like
sheep in the market. Sir Walter Scott says play-
inlly, "I have my quarters and emblazonments free
of all stain but Border Theft and High Treason,
which I hope are gentlemanlike crimes." Yet the
stealing of cattle does not now seem a very noble
achievement in the eyes of honorable Scotchmen
How will the stealing of children, within bounds
prescribed by law and custom, appear to future gene-
rations of Americans ?
THE UNITED STATES BOND.
A planter in Virginia, being pressed for money,
sold one of his bondwomen, of sixteen years old, to
a speculator who was buying up slaves for the mar-
kets of the South and South-west. The girl was
uncommonly handsome, with smooth hair, and a
complexion as light as most white people. Her new
owner, allured by her beauty, treated her with great
kindness, and made many nattering promises. She
understood his motives, and wished to escape from
the degradation of such a destiny as he had in store
for her. In order to conciliate her good will, he im-
150 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
posed few restraints upon her. The liberty thus al-
lowed gave her a favorable opportunity to abscond,
which she did not fail to improve. She travelled to
Philadelphia without encountering any difficulties on
the road ; for her features and complexion excited
no suspicion of her being a fugitive slave. She main-
tained herself very comfortably by her own industry,
and after a time married a light mulatto, who was a
very sober industrious man. He was for many years
employed by Joshua Humphreys, a ship-carpenter of
great respectability in the District of Southwark.
By united industry and frugality they were enabled
to build a small house on a lot they had taken on
ground rent. The furniture w T as simple, but ex-
tremely neat, and all the floors were carpeted. Eve-
ry thing indicated good management and domestic
comfort.
She had been in Philadelphia thirteen years, and
was the mother ol a promising family, w r hen in 1808 she
was arrested by her last master, as a fugitive slave.
The Virginian who sold her, and tw 7 o other persons
from the South, attended as witnesses. Isaac T.
Hopper also attended, w r ith his trusty friend Thomas
Harrison. When the witnesses were examined, her
case appeared utterly hopeless ; and in private con-
versation w T ith Friend Hopper she admitted that she
was a slave to the man who claimed her. Mr Hum-
phreys, pitying the distress of his honest, industrious
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 151
workman, offered to advance one hundred dollars
toward purchasing her freedom. But when Isaac
T. Hopper and Thomas Harrison attempted to nego-
tiate with the claimant for that purpose, he treated
all their offers with the rudest contempt. They tried
to work upon his feelings, by representing the misery
he would inflict on her worthy husband and innocent
children ; but he turned a deaf ear to all their entrea-
ties. They finally offered to pay him four hundred
dollars for a deed of manumission, which at that
time w r as considered a very high price ; but he stop-
ped all farther discussion by declaring, with a vio-
lent oath, that he would not sell her on any terms.
Of course, there was nothing to be done, but to
await the issue of the trial.
When the magistrate asked the woman w T hether
she were a slave, Friend Hopper promptly objected
to her answering that question, unless he would agree
to receive as evidence all she might say. He de-
clined doing that. Friend Hopper then made some
remarks, in the course of which he said, " The most
honest witnesses are often mistaken as to the identi-
ty of persons. It surprises me that the witnesses in
this case should be so very positive, wdien the wo-
man was but sixteen years old at the time they say
she eloped, and such a long period has since elapsed.
The question at stake is as important as life itself
to this woman, to her honest husband, and to her
152 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
poor little innocent children. For my own part, 1
conscientiously believe she has a just claim to her
freedom."
All this time, the woman stood holding her little
girl and boy by the hand. She was deeply dejected,
but her manners were as calm and dignified, as if
she had been one of the best educated ladies in the
land. The children were too young to understand
the terrible doom that threatened their mother, but
they perceived that their parents were in some great
trouble, and the little creatures wept in sympathy.
When Friend Hopper described this scene forty
years afterward, he used to say, "I shall never for-
get the anguish expressed in her handsome counte-
nance, as she looked down upon her children. I see
it as plainly as if it all happened yesterday."
At the time, it was almost too much for his sym-
pathizing heart to endure. He felt like moving hea-
ven and earth to rescue her. The trial came on in
the afternoon, and it happened that the presiding
magistrate was accustomed to drink rather freely of
wine after dinner. Friend Hopper perceived that
his mental faculties were slightly confused, and that
the claimant was a heavy, stupid-looking fellow.
With these thoughts there suddenly flashed through
his brain the plan of eluding an iniquitous law, in
order to sustain a higher law of justice and humani-
ty. He asked to have the case adjourned till the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 153
next day, that there might be further opportunity to
inquire into it ; adding, ''Thomas Harrison and my-
self will be responsible to the United States for this
woman's appearance to-morrow. In case of forfei-
ture, we will agree to pay any sum that may be
deemed reasonable."
The claimant felt perfectly sure of his prey, and
made no objection to the proposed arrangement. It
was accordingly entered on the docket that Thomas
Harrison and Isaac T. Hopper were bound to the
United States, in the sum of one thousand dollars, to
produce the woman for further trial at nine o'clock
the next morning.
When Friend Hopper had obtained a copy of the
recognizance, signed by the magistrate, he chuckled
inwardly and marched out of the office. If there
was a flaw in anything, Thomas Harrison had a jo-
cose way of saying, "There is a hole in the ballad."
As they went into the street together, his friend said,
"Thomas, there's a hole in the ballad. The recog-
nizance we have just signed is good for nothing.
The United States have not the slightest claim upon
that woman."
The next morning, at nine o'clock all parties, ex-
cept the woman, were at the mayor's office. After
waiting for her about an hour, the magistrate said,
"Well gentlemen, the woman does not make her
154 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
appearance, and I shall be obliged to forfeit your
recognizance."
o
"A thousand dollars is a large sum to lose," re-
joined Friend Hopper. "But if it comes to the
worst, I suppose we must make up our minds to pay
the United States all the claim they have upon us."
"The United States! The United States !" ex-
claimed the magistrate quickly. He turned to look
at his docket, and after a slight pause he said to the
claimant, "There is difficulty here. You had better
employ counsel."
Thomas Boss, a respectable lawyer, who lived a
few doors above, was summoned, and soon made his
appearance. Having heard the particulars of the
case briefly stated, he also examined the docket ;
then turning to Isaac T. Hopper, with a comical ges-
ture and tone, he exclaimed, "Eh !" To the claim-
ant he said, " You must catch your slave again if
you can ; for you can do nothing with these securi-
ties."
Of course, the master was very angry, and so was
the magistrate, who had inadvertently written the
recognizance just as it was dictated to him. They
charged Friend Hopper with playing a trick upon
them, and threatened to prosecute him. He told
them he had no fears concerning a prosecution ; and
if he had played a trick, he thought it was better
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 155
than to see a helpless woman torn from husband and
children and sent into slavery.
The magistrate asked, "How could you say you
believed the woman had a right to her freedom ?
You have brought forward no evidence whatever to
prove your assertion."
He replied, " I did not say I believed she had a
legal right to her freedom. That she had a just
right to it, I did believe ; for I think every human
being has a just claim to freedom, unless guilty of
some crime. The system of slavery is founded on
the grossest and most manifest injustice."
"It is sanctioned by the law of the land, answered
the claimant ; " and you have no right to fly in the
face of the laws."
Friend Hopper contented himself with saying, "If
I have broken any law, I stand ready to meet the
consequences. But no law can make wrong right."
The speculator spent several days in fruitless
search after the fugitive. When he had relinquished
all hopes of finding her, he called on Isaac T. Hop-
per and offered to manumit her for four hundred dol-
lars. He replied, "At one time, we would gladly
have given that sum ; but now the circumstances of
the case are greatly changed, and we cannot consent
to give half that amount." After considerable con-
troversy he finally agreed to take one hundred and
fifty dollars. The money was paid, and the deed of
1">(> LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
manumission made out in due form. At parting, the
claimant said, with a very bitter smile, "I hope I
may live to see you south of the Potomac some
day."
Friend Hopper replied, "Thou hadst better go
home and repent of sins already committed, instead
of meditating the commission of more."
When telling this story in after years, he was
wont to say, "I am aware that some will disapprove
of the part I acted in that case ; because they will
regard it as inconsistent with the candor which men
ought always to practice toward each other. I can
only say that my own conscience has never con-
demned me for it. I could devise no other means to
save the poor victim."
Before we decide to blame Friend Hopper more
than he blamed himself in this matter, it would be
well to imagine how we ourselves should have felt, if
we had been witnesses of the painful scene, instead
of reading it in cool blood, after a lapse of years. If
a handsome and modest woman stood before us with
her weeping little ones, asking permission to lead a
quiet and virtuous life, and a pitiless law was about
to tear her from husband and children and consign
her to the licentious tyrant from whom she had es-
caped, should we not be strongly tempted to evade
such a law by any means that offered at the mo-
ment ?
UFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 157
It would be wiser to expend our moral indignation
on statesmen who sanction and sustain laws so wick-
ed, that just and kind-hearted citizens are compelled
either to elude them, or to violate their own honest
convictions and the best emotions of their hearts.
THE TENDER MERCIES OF A SLAVE-
HOLDER.
In the year of 1808 a Southerner arrested a fugi-
tive slave in Philadelphia and committed him to pri-
son. When he called for him, with authority to
take him back to the South, the poor fellow seemed
dreadfully distressed. He told the keeper that his
master was very severe, and he knew that terrible
sufferings awaited him if he was again placed in his
power. He hesitated long before he followed the
keeper to the iron gate, through which he was to
pass out of prison. When he saw his oppressor
standing there with fetters in his hand, ready to take
him away, he stopped and pleaded in the most pite-
ous tones for permission to find a purchaser in Phila-
delphia. His owner took not the slightest notice of
these humble entreaties, but in a peremptory manner
ordered him to come out. The slave trembled all
over, and said in the fainting accents of despair,
"Master, I carCt go with you !"
" Come out, you black rascal !" exclaimed the in-
exorable tyrant. " Come out immediately !"
158 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
The poor wretch advanced timidly a few steps,
then turned back suddenly, as if overcome with mor-
tal fear. The master became very impatient, and in
angry vociferous tones commanded the keeper to
bring him out by force.
All this time, the keeper had stood with his hand
on the key of the iron door, very reluctant to open
it. But at last he unlocked it, and told the. poor ter-
rified creature that he must go. He rushed to the
door in the frenzy of desperation, gazed in his mas-
ter's face for an instant, then flew back, took a sharp
knife, which he had concealed about him, and drew
it across his throat with such force, that he fell
senseless near his master's feet, spattering his gar-
ments with blood. All those who witnessed this
awful scene, supposed the man was dead. Dr.
Church, physician of the prison, examined the wound,
and said there was scarcely a possibility that he
could survive, though the wind-pipe was not entirely
separated. But even the terrible admonition of that
ghastly spectacle produced no relenting feelings in
the hard heart of the slaveholder. He still demand-
ed to have his victim delivered up to him. When
the keeper declined doing it, and urged the reason
that the physician said he could not be moved with-
out imminent danger to his life, the brutal tyrant ex-
claimed, " Damn him ! He's my property ; and I
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 159
will have him, dead or alive. If he dies, it's no-
body's loss but mine."
As he had the mayor's warrant for taking him,
the keeper dared not incur the responsibility of diso-
beying his requisitions. He convened the inspectors
for consultation ; and they all agreed that any at-
tempt to remove the wounded man would render
them accessory to his death. They laid the case
before the mayor, who ordered that the prisoner
should remain undisturbed till the physician pro-
nounced him out of danger. When the master was
informed of this, he swore that nobody had any right
to interfere between him and his property. He curs-
ed the mayor, threatened to prosecute the keeper,
and was in a furious rage with every body.
Meanwhile, the sympathy of Isaac T. Hopper was
strongly excited in the case, and he obtained a pro-
mise from the physician that he would let him know
if there was any chance that the slave would recov-
er. Contrary to all expectation, he lingered along
day after day ; and in about a week, the humane
physician signified to Friend Hopper, and Joseph
Price, one of the inspectors, that a favorable result
might now be anticipated. Of course, none of them
considered it a duty to inform the master of their
hopes. They undertook to negotiate for the pur-
chase of the prisoner, and obtained him for a mode-
rate price. The owner was fully impressed with the
160 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
belief that he would die before long, and therefore
regarded the purchase of him as a mere freak of hu-
manity, by which he was willing enough to profit.
When he heard soon afterward that the doctor pro-
nounced him out of danger, he was greatly enraged.
But his suffering victim was beyond the reach of his
fury, which vented itself in harmless execrations.
The colored man lived many years, to enjoy the
liberty for which he had been willing to sacrifice his
life. He was a sober, honest, simple-hearted person,
and always conducted in a manner entirely satis-
factory to those who had befriended him in his hour
of utmost need.
THE FOREIGN SLAVE.
Early in the year of 1808, a Frenchman arrived
in Philadelphia from one of the West India Islands,
bringing with him a slave, whom he took before one
of the aldermen, and had him bound to serve him
seven years in Virginia. When the indenture was
executed, he committed his bondman to prison, for
safe-keeping, until he was ready to leave the city.
One of the keepers informed Isaac T. Hopper of the
circumstance, and told him the slave was to be car-
ried South the next morning.
Congress had passed an Act prohibiting the im-
portation of slaves, which was to begin to take effect
at the commencement of the year 1808. It imme-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 161
diately occurred to Friend Hopper that the present
case came within the act ; and if so, the colored
man was of course legally entitled to freedom. In
order to detain him till he could examine the law,
and take advice on the suhject, he procured a war-
rant for debt and lodged it at the prison, telling the
keeper not to let the colored man go till he had paid
his demand of a hundred dollars.
When the Frenchman called for his slave next
morning, they refused to discharge him ; and he ob-
tained a writ of habeas corpus, to bring the case be-
fore the mayor's court. Friend Hopper was informed
that the slave was on trial, that the Recorder did not
think it necessary to notify him, and had made very
severe remarks concerning the fictitious debt assum-
ed for the occasion. He proceeded directly to the
court, which was thronged with people, who watched
him with lively curiosity, and made a lane for him to
pass through. Mahlon Dickinson, the Recorder, was
in the act of giving his decision on the case, and he
closed his remarks by saying, "The conduct of Mr.
Hopper has been highly reprehensible. The man is
not his debtor ; and the pretence that he was so
could have been made for no other reason but to
cause unnecessary delay, vexation, and expense."
The lawyers smiled at each other, and seemed not a
little pleased at hearing him so roughly rebuked ; for
many of them had been more or less annoyed by his
162 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
skill and ready wit in tangling their skein, in cases
where questions of freedom were involved. Friend
Hopper stood before the Recorder, looking him
steadfastly in the face, while he was making animad-
versions on his conduct ; and when he had finished,
he respectfully asked leave to address the court for
a few minutes.
"Well, Mr. Hopper," said the Recorder, "what
have you to say in justification of your very extra-
ordinary proceedings ?"
He replied, " It is true the man is not my debtor ,
but the court has greatly erred in supposing that the
step I have taken was merely intended to produce
unnecessary delay and expense. The Recorder will
doubtless recollect that Congress has passed an act
prohibiting the introduction of foreign slaves into
this country. It is my belief that the case now be-
fore the court is embraced within the provisions of
that act. But I needed time to ascertain the point ;
and 1 assumed that the man was my debtor merely
to detain him until the Act of Congress could be
examined."
Jared Ingersoll, an old and highly respectable law-
yer, rose to say, "May it please your honors, I be-
lieve Mr. Hopper is correct in his opinion. A Na-
tional Intelligencer containing the Act of Congress
is at my office, and I will send for it if you wish."
The paper was soon brought, and Friend Hopper
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 163
read aloud the section which Mr. Ingersoll pointed
out ; placing strong emphasis on such portions as
bore upon the case then pending. When he had
concluded, he observed, "I presume the court must
now be convinced that the censures so liberally be-
stowed on my conduct are altogether unmerited."
The counsel for the claimant said a newspaper
was not legal evidence of the existence of a law.
Friend Hopper replied, " The court is well aware
that I am no lawyer. But I have heard lawyers
talk about prima facie evidence ; and I should sup-
pose the National Intelligencer amounted at least to
that sort of evidence, for it is the acknowledged or-
gan of government, in which the laws are published
for the information of citizens. But if that is not
satisfactory, I presume the court will detain the man
until an authenticated copy of the law can be obtain-
ed."
After some discussion, the court ordered a copy of
the law to be procured. ; but the attorney abandoned
the case, and the slave was set at liberty.
As soon as this decision was announced, the throng
of spectators, white and colored, began to shout,
"Hurra for Mr. Hopper!" The populace were so
accustomed to see him come off victorious from such
contests, that they began to consider his judgment
infallible.
Many years afterward, when Friend Hopper met
164 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Mahlon Dickinson on board a steam-boat, he inquired
whether he recollected the scolding he gave him on
a certain occasion. He replied pleasantly, " Indeed
I do. I thought I had you that time, and I intended
to give it to you ; but you slipped through my fin-
gers, as usual."
THE NEW-JERSEY SLAVE.
In the year 1809, a gentleman from East New-
Jersey visited Philadelphia, and brought a young slave
to wait upon him. When they had been in that city
four or five months, the lad called upon Isaac T.
Hopper to inquire whether his residence in Philadel-
phia had made him free. He was informed that he
would not have a legal claim to freedom till he had
been there six months. Just as the term expired,
somebody told the master that the laws of Pennsyl-
vania conferred freedom on slaves under such cir-
cumstances. He had been ignorant of the fact, or
had forgotten it, and as soon as he received the in-
formation he became alarmed lest he should lose his
locomotive property. He sent for a constable, who
came to his door with a carriage. The lad had just
come up from the cellar with an armful of wood.
When he entered the parlor, the constable ordered
him to put it down and go with him. He threw the
wood directly at the legs of the officer, and ran down
cellar full speed, slamming the door after him. As
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 165
soon as the constable could recover from the blow
he had received, he followed the lad into the cellar ;
but he had escaped by another door, and gone to
Isaac T. Hopper.
It was snowing fast, and when he arrived there in
his shirt sleeves, his black wool plentifully powdered
with snow, he was a laughable object to look upon.
But his countenance showed that he was too tho-
roughly frightened and distressed to be a subject of
mirth to any compassionate heart. Friend Hopper
tried to comfort him by promising that he would pro-
tect him, and assuring him that he was now legally
free. His agitation subsided in a short time, and he
began to laugh heartily to think how he had upset
the constable. The master soon came to Friend
Hopper's house, described the lad's dress and appear-
ance, and inquired whether he had seen him. He
admitted that he had, but declined telling where he
was. The master made some severe remarks about
the meanness of tampering with gentlemen's ser-
vants, and went away. In about half an hour he re-
turned with the constable and said Alderman Kepler
desired his respects to Isaac T. Hopper, and wished
to see him at his office. He replied, "I think it
likely that Alderman Kepler has not much more re-
spect for me than I have for him. If he has more
business with me than I have with him, I am at
home, and can be spoken with."
166 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
The master went away, but soon returned with
two constables and a lawyer, who was very clamor-
ous in his threats of what would be the consequences
if the slave was not at once surrendered to the gen-
tleman. One of the officers said he had a warrant
to search the house. "Very well," replied Friend
Hopper, "execute it."
v "I have great respect for you," rejoined the offi-
cer. "I should be sorry to search your house by
virtue of the warrant. I hope you will consent to
my doing so without."
"There is no need of delicacy on this occasion,"
replied Friend Hopper. "Thou hadst better pro-
ceed to the extent of thy authority."
"You give your consent, do you?" inquired the
officer.
He answered, "No, I do not. If thou hast a war-
rant, of course my consent is not necessary. Pro-
ceed to the full extent of thy authority. But if thou
goest one inch beyond, thou wilt have reason to re-
pent of it."
The party left the house utterly discomfited. He
afterward learned that they had applied for a search-
warrant, but could not procure one.
The first step in the process of securing the lad's
freedom was to obtain proof that he had been in
Philadelphia six months. The landlord of the hotel
where the master lodged, refused to say anything on
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 1(37
the subject, being unwilling to offend his lodger.
But the servants were under no such prudential re-
straint ; and from them Friend Hopper obtained tes-
timony sufficient for his purpose. He then wrote a
note to the alderman that he would be at his office
with the lad at nine o'clock next morning, and re-
questing him to inform the claimant. In the mean
time, he procured a writ of habeas corpus, to have it
in readiness in case circumstances required it. The
claimant made his appearance at the appointed hour,
and stated how he had come to Philadelphia on a
visit, and brought a slave to attend upon him. He
descanted quite largely upon the courtesy due from
citizens of one state to those of another state.
Friend Hopper was about to reply, when the
magistrate interrupted him by saying, "I shall not
interfere with the citizens of other states. I shall
surrender the boy to his master. If he thinks he has
a legal claim to his freedom, let him prosecute it in
New-Jersey."
Friend Hopper said nothing, but gave a signal to
have the writ served. The magistrate was highly
offended, and asked in an angry tone, "What was
your object in procuring a writ of habeas corpus ?"
Friend Hopper replied, -From my knowledge of
thee, I anticipated the result that has just occurred;
and I determined to remove the case to a tribunal
168 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
where I had confidence that justice would be done
in the premises."
The Court of Common Pleas was then in session.
The case was brought before it the next day, and
after the examination of two or three witnesses, the
lad was declared free.
A SLAVE HUNTER DEFEATED.
In 1810, a slave escaped from Virginia to Phila-
delphia. In a few months, his master heard where
he was, and caused him to be arrested. He was a
fine looking young man, apparently about thirty
years old. When he was brought before Alderman
Shoemaker, that magistrate's sympathy was so much
excited, that he refused to try the case unless some
one was present to defend the slave. Isaac T. Hop-
per was accordingly sent for. When he had heard
a statement of the case, he asked the agent of the
slaveholder to let him examine the Power of Attor-
ney by which he had been authorized to arrest a
"fugitive from labor," and carry him to Virginia.
The agent denied his right to interfere, but Alder-
man Shoemaker informed him that Mr. Hopper was
a member of the Emancipation Society, and had a
right to be satisfied.
The Power of Attorney was correctly drawn, and
had been acknowledged in Washington, before Bush-
rod Washington, one of the judges of the Supreme
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 169
Court of the United States. Friend Hopper's keen
eye could detect no available flaw in it. When the
agent had been sworn to answer truly all questions
relating to the case, he inquired whether the fugitive
he was in search of had been advertised; if so, he
wished to see the advertisement. It was handed to
him,. and he instantly noticed that it was headed
"Sixty Dollars Reward."
"Art thou to receive sixty dollars for apprehend-
ing the man mentioned in this advertisement?" said
he.
The agent replied, " I am to receive that sum pro-
vided I take him home to Virginia."
"How canst thou prove that the man thou hast
arrested is the one here advertised ? " inquired he.
The agent answered that he could swear to the
fact.
"That may be," rejoined Friend Hopper; "but in
Philadelphia we do not allow any person, especially
a stranger, to swear sixty dollars into his own
pocket, Unless there is better evidence than thy
oath, the man must be set at liberty."
The agent became extremely irritated, and said
indignantly, "Do you think I would swear to a
lie?"
"Thou art a stranger to me," replied Friend Hop-
per. "I don't know whether thou wouldst swear
8
170 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
falsely or not. But there is one thing I do know ;
and that is, I am not willing to trust thee."
The agent reiterated, "I know the man standing
there as well as I know any man living. I am per-
fectly sure he is the slave described in the adver-
tisement. I was overseer for the gentleman who
owns him. If you examine his back, you will find
scars of the whip."
"And perhaps thou art the man who made the
scars, if he has any," rejoined the Friend.
Without replying to this suggestion, the slave-
hunter ordered the colored man to strip, that his
back might be examined by the court. Friend
Hopper objected to such a proceeding. "Thou hast
produced no evidence that the man thou hast arrested
is a slave," said he. "Thou and he are on the same
footing before this court. We have as good a right
to examine thy back, as we have to examine his."
He added, with a very significant tone, "In some
places, they whip for kidnapping."
This remark put the slave-hunter in a violent
rage. The magistrate decided that his evidence
was not admissible, on the ground that he was in-
terested. He then proposed to summon two wit-
nesses from a Virginian vessel lying at one of the
wharves.
"Of course thou art at liberty to go for witnesses,"
replied Friend Hopper. "But I appeal to the ma-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 171
gistrate to discharge this man. Under present cir-
cumstances, he ought not to be detained a single
moment." The alderman needed no urging on that
point. He very promptly discharged the prisoner.
As soon as he Jeft the office, the slave-hunter siezed
hold of him, and swore he would keep him till wit-
nesses were brought. But Friend Hopper walked
up to him, and said in his resolute way, "Let go thy
hold ! or I will take such measures as will make
thee repent of thy rashness. How darest thou lay a
finger upon the "man after the magistrate has dis-
charged him ?"
Thus admonished, he reluctlantly relinquished his
grasp, and went off swearing vengeance against "the
meddlesome Quaker."
Friend Hopper hastened home w r ith the colored
man, and wrote a brief letter to his friend William
Reeve, in New-Jersey, concluding with these w T ords :
"Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done
it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto me." This letter was given to the fugitive
with directions how to proceed. His friend accom-
panied him to the ferry, saw him safely across the
river, and then returned home.
In an hour or two the slave-hunter came to the
house, accompanied by a constable and two wit-
nesses from Virginia. "The slave I arrested was
172 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
seen to come here," said he. "Where is he? Pro-
duce him."
Friend Hopper replied very quietly, "The man
has been here ; but he is gone now."
This answer made the agent perfectly furious.
After discharging a volley of oaths, he said he had a
search warrant, and swore he would have the house
searched from garret to cellar. "Very well," re-
plied Friend Hopper, "thou art at liberty to proceed
according to law; but be careful not to overstep
that boundary. If thou dost, it will be at thy peril."
After the slave-hunter had vented his rage in a
torrent of abuse, the constable proposed to speak a
few words in private. With many friendly profes-
sions, he acknowledged that they had no search-
warrant. "The gentleman was about to obtain one
from the mayor," said he; "but I wished to save
your feelings. I told him you were well acquainted
with me, and I had no doubt you would permit
me to search your house without any legal pro-
cess."
Friend Hopper listened patiently, perfectly well
aware that the whole statement was a sham. When
the constable paused for a reply, he opened the door,
and said very concisely, "Thou art at liberty to go
about thy business."
They spent several days searching for the fugitive,
but their efforts were unavailing.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 173
MAKY MORRIS.
A woman, who was born too early to derive benefit
from the gradual emancipation law of Pennsylvania,
escaped from bondage in Lancaster County to Phila-
delphia. There she married a free colored man by
the name of Abraham Morris. They lived together
very comfortably for several years, and seemed to
enjoy life as much as many of their more wealthy
neighbors. But in the year 1810, it unfortunately
happened that Siary's master ascertained where she
lived, and sent a man to arrest her, with directions
either to sell her, or bring her back to him.
Abraham Morris was a very intelligent, industrious
man, and had laid up some money. He offered one
hundred and fifty dollars of his earnings to purchase
the freedom of his wife. The sum was accepted,
and the parties applied to Daniel Bussier, a magis-
trate in the District of Southwark, to draw up a deed
of manumission. The money was paid, and the deed
given ; but the agent employed to sell the woman
absconded with the money. The master, after wait-
ing several months and not hearing from him, sent
to Philadelphia and caused Mary Morris to be ar-
rested again. She was taken to the office of Daniel
Bussier, and notwithstanding he had witnessed her
deed of manumission a few months before, he com-
mitted her to prison as a fugitive slave. When her
174 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
husband called upon Isaac T. Hopper and related all
the circumstances, he thought there must be some
mistake ; for he could not believe that any magis-
trate would be so unjust and arbitrary, as to commit
a woman to prison as a fugitive, when he had seen
the money paid for her ransom, and the deed of
manumission given. He went to Mr. Bussier imme-
diately, and very civilly told him that he had called
to make inquiry concerning a colored woman com-
mitted to prison as a fugitive slave on the evening
previous.
" Go out of my office !" said the undignified magis-
trate. "I want nothing to do with you."
He replied, "I come here as the friend and advi-
ser of the woman's husband. My request is rea-
sonable, and I trust thou wilt not refuse it."
In answer to this appeal, Mr. Bussier merely re-
peated, " Go out of my office !"
Friend Hopper offered him half a dollar, saying,
" I want an extract from thy docket. • Here is the
lawful fee."
All this time, Mr. Bussier had been under the
hands of a barber, who was cutting his hair. He
became extremely irritated, and said, " If you won't
leave this office, I will put you out, as soon as I have
taken the seat of justice."
" I wish thou wouldst take the seat of justice,"
replied Friend Hopper; "for then I should obtain
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 175
what I want ; but if thou dost, I apprehend it will be
for the first time."
Mr. Bussier sprang hastily from his chair, and
seated himself at the magisterial desk, which was
raised about a foot from the floor, and surrounded by
a railing. Conceiving himself now armed with the
thunders of the law, he called out, in tones of autho-
rity, "Mr. Hopper, I command you to quit this of-
fice !"
The impassive Quaker stood perfectly still, and
pointing to Abraham Morris, he again tendered the
half dollar, saying, "I want an extract from thy
docket, in the case of this man's wife. Here is the
lawful fee for it. Please give it to me."
This quiet perseverance deprived the excited magis-
trate of what little patience he had left. He took
the importunate petitioner by the shoulders, pushed
him into the street, and shut the door.
Friend Hopper then applied to Jacob Rush, Presi-
dent of the Court of Common Pleas for a writ of ha-
beas corpus. The woman was brought before him,
and when he had heard the particulars of the case,
and examined her deed of manumission, he immedi-
ately discharged her, to the great joy of herself and
husband.
Friend Hopper thought it might be a useful lesson
for Mr. Bussier to learn that his "little brief authori-
ty" had boundaries which could not be passed with
176' LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
impunity. He accordingly had htm indicted for as
sault and battery. He and his political friends were
a good deal ashamed of his conduct, and finally, af-
ter many delays in bringing on the trial, and various
attempts to hush up the matter, Mr. Bussier called
upon Friend Hopper te say that he deeply regretted
the course he had pursued. His apology was readily
accepted, and the case dismissed ; he agreeing to
pay the costs.
THE SLAVE MOTHER.
Cassy was slave to a merchant in Baltimore, by
the name of Claggett. She had reason to believe
that her master was about to sell her to a speculator,
who was making up a coffle for the markets of the
far South. The terror felt in view of such a pros-
pect can be understood by slaves only. She resolved
to escape ; and watching a favorable opportunity, she
succeeded in reaching the neighborhood of Haddon-
field, New-Jersey. There she obtained service in a
very respectable family. She was honest, steady,
and industrious, and made many friends by her
cheerful, obliging manners. But her heart was never
at rest ; for she had left in Baltimore a babe little
more than a year old. She had not belonged to an
unusually severe master ; but she had experienced
quite enough of the sufferings of slavery to dread it
for her child. Her thoughts dwelt so much on this
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 177
painful subject, that her naturally cheerful character
became extremely saddened. She at last determined
to make a bold effort to save her little one from the
liability of being sold, like a calf or pig in the sham-
bles. She went to see Isaac T. Hopper and com-
municated to him her plan. He tried to dissuade
her ; for he considered the project extremely danger-
ous, and well nigh hopeless. But the mother's heart
yearned for her babe, and the incessant longing
stimulated her courage to incur all hazards. To
Baltimore she went ; her pulses throbbing hard and
fast, with the double excitement of hope and fear.
She arrived safely, and went directly to the house of
a colored family, old friends of hers, in whom she
could confide with perfect safety. To her great joy,
she found that they approved her plan, and were
ready to assist her. Arrangements were soon made
to convey the child to a place about twenty miles
from Baltimore, where it would be well taken care
of, till the mother could find a safe opportunity to
remove it to New-Jersey.
Before she had time to take all the steps necessa-
ry to insure success in this undertaking, her master
was informed of her being in the city, and sent con-
stables in pursuit of her. Luckily, her friends were
apprized of this in season to give her warning ; and
her own courage and ingenuity proved adequate to
the emergency. She disguised herself in sailor's
8*
178 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
clothes, and walked boldly to the Philadelphia boat.
There she walked up and down the deck, with her
arms folded, smoking a cigar, and occasionally pass-
ing and repassing the constables who had been sent
on board in search of her. These men, having
watched till the last moment for the arrival of a co-
lored woman answering to her description, took their
departure. The boat started, and brought the coura-
geous mother safely to Philadelphia, where Friend
Hopper and others rejoiced over the history of her
hair-breadth escape.
A few weeks after, she went to the place where
her child had been left, and succeeded in bringing it
safely away. For a short time, her happiness seem-
ed to be complete ; but when the first flush of joy
and thankfulness had subsided, she began to be
harassed with continual fears lest she and her child
should be arrested in some evil hour, and carried
back into slavery. By unremitting industry, and
very strict economy, she strove to lay by money
enough to purchase their freedom. She had made
friends by her good conduct and obliging ways, while
her maternal affection and enterprising character ex-
cited a good deal of interest among those acquainted
with her history. Donations were occasionally added
to her earnings, and a sum was soon raised sufficient
to accomplish her favorite project. Isaac T. Hop-
per entered into negotiation with her master, and sue-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 179
ceeded in obtaining manumission for her and her
child.
COLONEL RIDGELEY'S SLAVE.
A slave escaped from Colonel Ridgeley, who resid-
ed in the southern part of Virginia. He went to
Philadelphia, and remained there undiscovered for
several years. But he was never quite free from
anxiety, lest in some unlucky hour, he should be ar-
rested and carried back to bondage. When he had
laid up some money, he called upon Isaac T. Hop-
per to assist him in buying the free use of his own
limbs. A negotiation was opened with Col. Ridge-
ley, who agreed to take two hundred dollars for the
fugitive, and appointed a time to come to Philadel-
phia to arrange the business. But instead of keep-
ing his agreement honorably, he went to that city
several weeks before the specified time, watched for
his bondman, seized him, and conveyed him to
Friend Hopper's office. When the promised two
hundred dollars were offered, he refused to accept
them.
" Why, that is the sum thou hast agreed upon,"
said Friend Hopper.
"I know that," replied the Colonel ; "but I won't
take it now. He was the best servant I ever had.
I can sell him for one thousand dollars in Virginia.
180 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Under present circumstances, I will take five hun-
dred dollars for him, and not one cent less."
After considerable discussion, Friend Hopper urged
him to allow his bondman until ten o'clock next
morning, to see what could be done among his
friends ; and he himself gave a written obligation
that the man should be delivered up to him at that
hour, in case he could not procure five hundred dol-
lars to purchase his freedom.
When the master was gone, Friend Hopper said
to the alarmed fugitive, "There now remains but
one way for thee to obtain thy freedom. As to rais-
ing five hundred dollars, that is out of the question.
But if thou wilt be prompt and resolute, and do pre-
cisely as I tell thee, I think thou canst get off safe-
ly."
"I will do anything for freedom," replied the
bondman ; "for 1 have made up my mind, come what
may, that I never will go back into slavery."
"Very well then," rejoined his friend. "Don't get
frightened when the right moment comes to act ; but
keep thy wits about thee, and do as I tell thee. Thy
master will come here to-morrow at ten o'clock, ac-
cording to appointment. I must deliver thee up to
him, and receive back the obligation for one thou-
sand dollars, which I have given him. Do thou
stand with thy back against the door, which opens
from this room into the parlor. When he has re-
LIFE OF TSAAC T. HOPPER. 181
turned the paper to me, open the door quickly, lock
it on the inside, and run through the parlor into the
back-yard. There is a wall there eight feet high,
with spikes at the top. Thou wilt find a clothes-
horse leaning against it, to help thee up. When
thou hast mounted, kick the clothes-horse down be-
hind thee, drop on the other side of the wall, and be
off." The premises were then shown to him, and he
received minute directions through what alleys and
streets he had better pass, and at what house he
could find a temporary refuge.
Col. Ridgeley came the next morning, at the ap-
pointed hour, and brought a friend to stand sentinel
at the street door, lest the slave should attempt to
rush out. It did not occur to him that there was
any danger of his running in.
"We have not been able to raise the five hundred
dollars," said Friend Hopper ; "and here is thy man,
according to agreement."
The Colonel gave back his obligation for one
thousand dollars ; and the instant it left his hand,
the fugitive passed into the parlor. The master
sprang over the counter after him, but found the
door locked. Before he could get to the back yard
by another door, the wall was scaled, the clothes-
horse thrown down, and the fugitive was beyond his
reach. Of course, he returned very much disap-
pointed and enraged ; declaring his firm belief that a
182 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
trick had been played upon him purposely. After
he had given vent to his anger some little time,
Friend Hopper asked for a private interview with
him. When they were alone together in the parlor,
he said, "I admit this was an intentional trick; but
I had what seemed to me good reasons for resorting
to it. In the first place, thou didst not keep the
agreement made with me, but sought to gain an un-
fair advantage. In the next place, I knew that man
was thy own son ; and I think any person who is so
unfeeling as to make traffic of his own flesh and
blood, deserves to be tricked out of the chance to do
it."
"What if he is my son?" rejoined the Virginian.
" I've as good a right to sell my own flesh and blood
as that of any other person. If I choose to do it, it
is none of your business." He opened the dooi, and
beckoning to his friend, who was in waiting, he said,
" Hopper admits this was all a trick to set the slave
free." Then turning to Friend Hopper, he added,
"You admit it was a trick, don't you ?"
"Thou and \ will talk that matter over by our-
selves," he replied. "The presence of a third person
is not always convenient."
The Colonel went off in a violent passion, and
forgetting that he was not in Virginia, he rushed into
the houses of several colored people, knocked them
about, overturned their beds, and broke their furni-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER, 183
ture, in search of the fugitive. Being unable to ob-
tain any information concerning him, he cooled down
considerably, and went to inform Friend Hopper that
he would give a deed of manumission for two hun-
dred dollars ; but his offer was rejected.
" Why that was your own proposal !" vociferated
the Colonel.
"Very true," he replied ; "and I offered thee th&
money ; but thou refused to take it."
After storming awhile, the master went off to ob-
tain legal advice from the Hon. John Sergeant.
Meanwhile, several of the colored people had entered
a complaint against him for personal abuse, and dam-
age done to their furniture. He was obliged to give
bonds for his appearance at the next court, to answer
their accusations. This was a grievous humiliation
for a proud Virginian, w 7 ho had been educated to
think that colored people had no civil rights. In
this unpleasant dilemma, his lawyer advised him to
give a deed of manumission for one hundred and fifty
dollars ; promising to exert his influence to have the
mortifying suits withdrawn.
The proposed terms were accepted, and the money
promptly paid by the slave from his own earnings.
But when Mr. Sergeant proposed that the suits for
assault and battery should be withdrawn, Friend
Hopper replied, "I have no authority to dismiss
them."
184 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"They will be dismissed if you advise it," rejoined
the lawyer; "and if you will promise to do it, I
shall be perfectly satisfied."
"These colored people have been very badly treat-
ed," answered Friend Hopper. "If the aggressor
wants to settle the affair, he had better go to them
and offer some equivolent for the trouble he has
given."
The lawyer replied, "When he agreed to manu-
mit the man for one hundred and fifty dollars, he ex-
pected these suits would be dismissed, of course, as
a part of the bargain. What sum do you think these
people will take to withdraw them ?"
Friend Hopper said he thought they would do it
for one hundred and fifty dollars.
"I will pay it," replied Mr. Sergeant ; "for Colonel
Ridgeley is very anxious to return home."
Thus the money paid for the deed of manumission
was returned. Forty dollars were distributed among
the colored people, to repay the damage done to
their property. After some trifling incidental expen-
ses had been deducted, the remainder was returned
to the emancipated slave ; who thus obtained his
freedom for about fifty dollars, instead of the sum
originally offered.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 185
STOP THIEF!
About the year 1826, a Marylander, by the name
of Solomon Low, arrested a fugitive slave in Phila-
delphia, and took him to the office of an alderman to
obtain the necessary authority for carrying him back
into bondage. Finding the magistrate gone to din-
ner, they placed the colored man in the entry, while
Mr. Low and his companions guarded the door.
Some of the colored people soon informed Isaac T.
Hopper of these circumstances, and he hastened to
the office. Observing the state of things there, he
concluded it would be no difficult matter to give the
colored man a chance to escape. He stepped up to
the men at the door, and demanded in a peremptory
manner by what authority they were holding that
man in duress. Mr. Low replied, "He is my slave."
" This is strange conduct," rejoined Friend Hop-
per. "Who can tell whether he is thy slave or not ?
What proof is there that you are not a band of kid-
nappers ? Dost thou suppose the laws of Pennsyl-
vania tolerate such proceedings ?"
These charges arrested the attention of Mr. Low
and his companions, who turned round to answer the
speaker. The slave, seeing their backs toward him
for an instant, seized that opportunity to rush out ;
and he had run two or three rods before they missed
him. They immediately raised the cry of " Stop
186 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Thief! Stop Thief!" An Irishman, who joined in
the pursuit, arrested the fugitive and brought him
back to his master.
Friend Hopper remonstrated with him ; saymg,
"The man is not a thief. They claim him for a
slave, and he was running for liberty. How wouldst
thou like to be made a slave ?"
The kind-hearted Hibernian replied, "Then they
lied ; for they said he was a thief. If he is a slave,
I'm sorry I stopped him. However, I will put him
in as good a condition as I found him." So saying,
he went near the man who had the fugitive in custo-
dy, and seized him by the collar with a sudden jerk,
that threw him on the pavement. The slave instant-
ly started, and ran at his utmost speed, again follow-
ed by the cry of "Stop Thief!" Having run some
distance, and being nearly out of breath, he darted
into the shop of a watch-maker, named Samuel Ma-
son, who immediately closed and fastened his door,
so that the crowd could not follow him. The fugi-
tive passed out of the back door, and was never af-
terward recaptured.
The disappointed master brought an action against
Samuel Mason for rescuing his slave. Charles J.
Ingersoll and his brother Joseph, two accomplished
lawyers of Philadelphia, conducted the trial for him,
with zeal and ingenuity worthy of a better cause.
Isaac T. Hopper was summoned as a witness, and in
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 187
the course of examination he was asked what course
members of the Society of Friends adopted when a
fugitive slave came to them. He replied, " I am not
willing to answer for any one but myself."
"Well," said Mr. Ingersoll, "what would you do
in such a case ? Would you deliver him to his mas-
ter?"
" Indeed I would not !" answered the Friend.
" My conscience would not permit me to do it. It
would be a great crime ; because it would be diso-
bedience to my own dearest convictions of right. I
should never expect to enjoy an hour of peace after-
ward. I would do for a fugitive slave whatever I
should like to have done for mvself, under similar
circumstances. If he asked my protection, I would
extend it to him to the utmost of my power. If he
was hungry, I would feed him. If he was naked, I
would clothe him. If he needed advice, I would
give such as I thought would be most beneficial to
him."
The cause was tried before Judge Bushrod Wash-
ington, nephew of General Washington. Though a
slaveholder himself, he manifested no partiality dur-
ing the trial, which continued several days, with able
arguments on both sides. The counsel for the claim-
ant maintained that Samuel Mason prevented the
master from regaining his slave, by shutting his door,
and refusing to open it. The counsel for the defen-
188 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
dant replied that there was much valuable and brit-
tle property in the watchmaker's shop, which would
have been liable to robbery and destruction, if a pro-
miscuous mob had been allowed to rush in. Judge
Washington summed up the evidence very clearly
to the jury, who after retiring for deliberation a
considerable time, returned into court, declaring that
they could not agree upon a verdict, and probably
never should agree. They were ordered out again,
and kept together till the court adjourned, when
they were dismissed.
At the succeeding term, the case was tried again,
with renewed energy and zeal. But the jury, after
being kept together ten days, were discharged with-
out being able to agree upon a verdict. Some, who
were originally in favor of the defendant, became
weary of their long confinement, and consented to
go over to the slaveholders side ; but one of them,
named Benjamin Thaw, declared that he would eat
his Christmas dinner in the jury-room, before he
would consent to such a flagrant act of injustice.
His patience held out till the court adjourned.
Consequently a third trial became necessary ; and
the third jury brought in a verdict in favor of the
watchmaker.
The expenses of these suits were estimated at
seventeen hundred dollars. Solomon Low was in
limited circumstances ; and this expenditure in prose-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 189
cuting an innocent man was said to have caused his
failure soon after.
THE DISGUISED SLAVEHOLDER.
A colored woman and her son were slaves to a
man in East-Jersey. She had two sons in Philadel-
phia, who had been free several years, and her pre-
sent master was unacquainted with them. In 1827,
she and her younger son escaped, and went to live
in Philadelphia. Her owner, knowing she had free
sons in that city, concluded as a matter of course
that she had sought their protection. A few weeks
after her flight, he followed her, and having assumed
Quaker costume, went to the house of one of her
sons. He expressed great interest for the woman,
and said he wished to obtain an interview with her
for her benefit. His friendly garb and kind language
completely deceived her son, and he told him that
his mother was then staying at his brother's house,
which was not far off. Having obtained this infor-
mation, the slaveholder procured a constable and im-
mediately went to the place described. Fortunately,
the son was at home, and it being warm weather he
sat near the open door. The mother was seated at
a chamber window, and saw a constable approaching
the house, with a gentleman in Quaker costume,
whom she at once recognized as her master. She
gave the alarm to her son, who instantly shut the
190 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
door and fastened it. The master, being refused ad-
mittance, placed a guard there, while he went to pro-
cure a search-warrant. These proceedings attracted
the attention of colored neighbors, and a crowd soon
gathered about the house. They seized the man
who guarded the door, and held him fast, while the
woman and her fugitive son rushed out. It was
dusk, and the uncertain light favored their escape.
They ran about a mile, and took refuge with a co-
lored family in Locust-street. The watchman soon
got released from the colored people who held him,
and succeeded in tracing the woman to her new re-
treat, where he again mounted guard. The master
returned meanwhile, and having learned the circum-
stances, w T ent to the magistrate to obtain another
warrant to search the house in Locust-street.
At this stage of the affair, Friend Hopper was
summoned, and immediately went to the rescue, ac-
companied by one of his sons, about sixteen years
old. He found the woman and her son stowed away
in a closet, exceedingly terrified. He assured them
they would be quite as safe on the mantel-piece, as
they would be in that closet ; that their being found
concealed would be regarded as the best evidence
that they were the persons sought for. Knowing it
was dangerous for them to remain in that house, he
told them of a plan he had formed, on the spur of
the moment. After giving them careful instructions
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 191
how to proceed, he left them and requested that the
street door might be opened for him. A crowd im-
mediately rushed in, as he had foreseen would be the
case. He affected to be greatly displeased, and or-
dered the men of the house to turn all the intruders
out. They obeyed him ; and among the number
turned out were the two fugitives. It was dark, and
in the confusion, the watchman on guard could not
distingush them among the multitude.
Friend Hopper had hastily consigned them to his
son, with instructions to take them to his house ; and
the watchman, seeing that he himself remained about
the premises, took it for granted that the fugitives
had not escaped.
As soon as it was practicable, Friend Hopper re-
turned home, where he found the woman and her
son in a state of great agitation. He immediately
sent her to a place of greater safety, and gave the
son a letter to a farmer thirty miles up in the coun-
try. He went directly to the river Schuylkill, but
was afraid to cross the bridge, lest some person
should be stationed there to arrest him. He accord-
ingly walked along the margin of the river till he
found a small boat, in which he crossed the stream.
Following the directions he had received, he arrived
at the farmer's house, where he had a kindly wel-
come, and obtained employment.
The master being unable to recapture his slaves,
192 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
called upon Isaac T. Hopper to inquire if he knew
anything about them. He coolly replied, " I believe
they are doing very well. From what I hear, I
judge it will not be necessary to give thyself any
further trouble on their account."
"There is no use in trying to capture a runaway
slave in Philadelphia," rejoined the master. "I be-
lieve the devil himself could not catch them when
they once get here."
"That is very likely," answered Friend Hopper.
"But I think he would have less difficulty in catch-
ing the masters ; being so much more familiar with
them."
Sixty dollars had already been expended in vain ;
and the slave-holder, having relinquished all hope of
tracing the fugitives, finally agreed to manumit the
woman for fifty dollars, and her son for seventy-five
dollars. These sums were advanced by two citizens
friendly to the colored people, and the emancipated
slaves repaid them by faithful service.
THE SLAVE OF DR. RICH.
In the autumn of 1828, Dr. Rich of Maryland
came to Philadelphia with his wife, who was the
daughter of an Episcopal clergyman in that city, by
the name of Wiltbank. She brought a slave to wait
upon her, intending to remain at her father's until
after the birth of her child, which was soon expected
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 193
to take place. When they had been there a few
months, the slave was informed by some colored
acquaintance that she was free in consequence of be-
ing brought to Philadelphia. She called to consult
with Isaac T. Hopper, and seemed very much disap-
pointed to hear that a residence of six months was
necessary to entitle her to freedom ; that her master
was doubtless aware of that circumstance, and would
probably guard against it.
After some minutes of anxious reflection, she said,
"Then there is nothing left for me to do but to run
away ; for I am determined never to go back to Ma-
ryland."
Friend Hopper inquired whether she thought it
would be right to leave her mistress without any one
to attend upon her, in the situation she then was.
She replied that she felt no scruples on that point,
for her master was wealthy, and could hire as many
servants as he pleased. Finding her mind entirely
made up on the subject, he gave her such instruc-
tions as seemed suited to the occasion.
The next morning she was not to be found ; and
Dr. Rich went in search of her, with his father-in-
law, Mr. Wiltbank. Having frightened some igno-
rant colored people where she visited, by threats of
prosecuting them for harboring a runaway, they con-
iessccl that she had gone from their house to Isaac
T, Hopper. Mr, Wiltbank accordingly waited upon
9
194 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
him, and after relating the circumstances of the case,
inquired whether he had seen the fugitive. In reply,
he made a frank statement of the interview he had
with her, and of her fixed determination to obtain
her freedom. The clergyman reproached her with
ingratitude, and said she had always been treated
with great kindness.
"The woman herself gives a very different ac-
count of her treatment," replied Friend Hopper;
"but be that as it may, I cannot blame her for
wishing to obtain her liberty."
He asked if Friend Hopper knew where she then
was ; and he answered that he did not. " Could you
find her, if you tried?" inquired he.
" I presume I could do it very easily," rejoined the
Quaker. "The colored people never wish to secrete
themselves from me ; for they know I am their true
friend."
Mr. Wiltbank then said, "If you will cause her to
be brought to your house, Dr. Rich and myself will
come here at eight o'clock this evening. You will
then hear her ask her master's pardon, acknowledge
the kindness with which she has always been treated,
and express her readiness to go home with him."
Friend Hopper indignantly replied, "I have no
doubt that fear might induce her to profess all thou
hast said. But what trait hast thou discovered in
my character, that leads thee to suppose I would
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 195
be such a hypocrite as to betray the confidence this
poor woman has reposed in me, by placing her in
the power of her master, in the way thou hast pro-
posed?"
Mr. Wiltbank then requested that a message
might be conveyed to the woman, exhorting her
to return, and promising that no notice whatever
would be taken of her offence.
" She shall be informed of thy message, if that
will be any satisfaction to thee," replied Friend
Hopper; "but I am perfectly sure she will never
voluntarily return into slavery."
Dr. Rich and Mr. Wiltbank called in the evening,
and were told the message had been delivered to
the woman, but she refused to return. "She is in
your house now," exclaimed Dr. Rich. "I can
prove it ; and if you don't let me see her, I will
commence a suit against you to-morrow, for har-
boring my slave."
" I believe Solomon Low resides in thy neighbor-
hood," said Friend Hopper. "Art thou acquainted
with him ? "
Being answered in the affirmative, he said, "Solo-
mon Low brought three such suits as thou hast
threatened. They cost him seventeen hundred dol-
lars, which I heard he was unable to pay. But
perhaps thou hast seventeen hundred dollars to
spare ? "
196 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HGTPER.
Dr. Rich answered that he could well afford to
lose that sum.
"Very well," rejoined his opponent. "There are
lawyers enough who need it, and still more who
w T ould be glad to have it."
Finding it alike impossible to coax or intimidate
the resolute Quaker, they withdrew. About eleven
o'clock at night, some of the family informed Friend
Hopper that there was a man continually walking
back and forth in front of the house. He went out
and accosted him thus : " Friend, art thou watching
my house?" When the stranger replied that he
was, he said, "It is very kind in thee; but I really
do not think there is any occasion for thy services.
I am quite satisfied with the watchmen employed by
the public."
The man answered gruffly, "I have taken my
stand, and I intend to keep it."
Friend Hopper told him he had no objection ; and
he was about to re-enter the house, when he ob-
served Dr. Rich, who was so wrapped up in a large
cloak, that at first he did not recognize him. He
exclaimed, "Why doctor, art thou here ! Is it pos-
sible thou art parading the streets so late in the
night, at this cold season of the year ? Now, from
motives of kindness, I do assure thee thy slave is not
in my house. To save thee from exposing thy health
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 197
by watching at this inclement season, I will give thee
leave to search the house."
The doctor replied, "I shall obtain a warrant in
the morning, and search it with the proper officer."
"There appear to be several on the watch," said
Friend Hopper ; "and it surely is not necessary for all
of them to be out in the cold at the same time. If
thou wilt be responsible that nothing shall be stolen,
thou art welcome to use my parlor as a watch-
house." This offer was declined with freezing civili-
ty, and Friend Hopper returned to his dwelling.
Passing through the kitchen, he observed two co-
lored domestics talking together in an under tone,
apparently planning something which made them
very merry. Judging from some words he over-
heard, that they had a mischievous scheme on
foot, he resolved to watch their movements without
letting them know that he noticed them. One of
them put on an old cloak and bonnet, opened the
front door cautiously, looked up the street and down
the street, but saw nobody. The watchers had seen
the dark face the moment it peeped out, and they
were lying in ambush to observe her closely. After
a minute of apparent hesitation, she rushed into the
street and ran with all speed. They joined in hot
pursuit, and soon overtook her. She pretended to
be greatly alarmed, and called aloud for a watch-
man. The offenders were arrested and brought back
198 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
to the house with the girl. Friend Hopper explained
that these men had been watching his house, suppos-
ing a fugitive slave to be secreted there ; and that
they had mistaken one of his domestics for the per-
son they were in search of. After laughing a little
at the joke practised upon them, he proposed that
they should be set at liberty ; and they were accord-
ingly released.
The next morning, a soon as it was light, he in-
vited the watchers to come in and warm themselves ;
but they declined. After sunrise, they all dispersed,
except two. When breakfast was ready, he urged
them to come in and partake ; telling them that one
could keep guard while the other was eating. But
they replied that Dr. Rich had ordered them to hold
no communication with him.
Being firmly persuaded that the slave was in the
house, they kept sentry several days and nights.
For fear she might escape by the back way, a mes-
senger was sent to Mr. Warrence, who occupied a
building in the rear, offering to pay him for his trou-
ble if he would watch the premises in that direction.
His wife happened to overhear the conversation ; and
having a pitcher of scalding w r ater in her hand, she
ran out saying, "Do you propose to hire my hus-
band to watch neighbor Hopper's premises for a run-
away slave ? Go about your business ! or I will
throw this in vour face."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 199
When Dr. Rich called again, he was received po-
litely, and the first inquiry was how he had succeed-
ed in his efforts to procure a search-warrant. He
replied, " The magistrate refused to grant one."
"Perhaps Joseph Reed, the Recorder, would
oblige thee in that matter," said Friend Hopper.
The answer was, "I have been to him, and he
declines to interfere."
It was then suggested that it might be well to re-
tain a lawyer with a portion of the seventeen hun-
dred dollars he said he had to spare.
"I have been to Mr. Broome," rejoined the doc-
tor. "He tells me that you understand the law in
such cases as well as he does ; and he advises me to
let the matter alone."
" I will give thee permission to search my house,"
said Friend Hopper ; "and I have more authority in
that matter than any magistrate, judge, or lawyer,
in the city."
"That is very gentlemanly," replied the doctor;
"but I infer from it that the woman is not in your
house."
He was again assured that she was not ; and they
f3ll into some general discourse on the subject of
s'avery. " Suppose you came to Maryland and lost
your horse," said the Doctor. "If you called upon
me, and I told you that I knew where he was, but
would not inform you, would you consider yourself
200 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
treated kindly?" "In such a case, I should not con-
sider myself well treated," replied Friend Hopper.
" But in this part of the country, we make a distinc-
tion between horses and men. We believe that hu-
man beings have souls."
"That makes no difference, " rejoined the Doctor.
"You confess that you could find my slave if you
were so disposed ; and I consider it your duty to tell
me where she is." "I will do it when I am of the
same opinion," replied Friend Hopper; "but till
then thou must excuse me."
The fugitive was protected by a colored man nam-
ed Hill, who soon obtained a situation for her as ser-
vant in a respectable country family, where she was
kindly treated. In the course of a year or two, she
returned to Philadelphia, married a steady industri-
ous man, and lived very comfortably.
Mr. Hill had a very revengeful temper. One of
his colored neighbors brought suits against him for
criminal conduct, and recovered heavy damages.
From that time he seemed to hate people of his own
complexion, and omitted no opportunity to injure
them. The woman he befriended, when he was in a
better state of mind, had been married nine or ten
years, and had long ceased to think of danger, when
he formed the wicked project of making a little
money by betraying her to her master. Accordingly
he sought her residence accompanied by one of those
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 201
wretches who make a business of capturing slaves.
When he entered her humble abode, he found her
busy at the wash-tub. Kejoiced to see the man who
had rendered her such essential service in time of
need, she threw her arms about his neck, exclaiming,
"O, uncle Hill, how glad I am to see you !" She
hastily set aside her tub, wiped up the floor, and
thinking there was nothing in the house good enough
for her benefactor, she went out to purchase some
little luxuries. Hill recommended a particular shop,
and proposed to accompany her. The slave-hunter,
who had been left in the street, received a private
signal, and the moment she entered the shop, he
pounced upon her. Before her situation could be
made known to Isaac T. Hopper, she was removed
to Baltimore. The last he ever heard of her she
was in prison there, awaiting her day of sale, when
she was to be transported to New-Orleans.
He used to say he did not know which was the
most difficult for his mind to conceive of, the cruel
depravity manifested by the ignorant colored man,
or the unscrupulous selfishness of the slaveholder, a
man of education, a husband and a father, who
could consent to use such a tool for such a purpose.
Many more narratives of similar character might
be added ; for I think he estimated at more than one
thousand the number of cases in which he had been
employed for fugitives, in one way or another, during
9*
202 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
his forty years' residence in Philadelphia. But
enough have been told to illustrate the active benevo-
lence, uncompromising boldness, and ready wit,
which characterized this friend of humanity. His
accurate knowledge of all laws connected with slave-
ry was so proverbial, that magistrates and lawyers
were generally averse to any collision with him on
such subjects.
In 1810, Benjamin Donahue of Delaware applied
to Mr. Barker, mayor of Philadelphia, to assist him
in recovering a fugitive, with whose place of resi-
dence he was perfectly sure Isaac T. Hopper was ac-
quainted. After a brief correspondence with Friend
Hopper, the mayor said to Mr. Donahue, "We had
better drop this business, like a hot potato ; for Mr.
Hopper knows more law in such cases as this, than
you and I put together."
He would often resort to the most unexpected ex-
pedients. Upon one occasion, a slave case was
brought before Judge Rush, brother of Dr. Benjamin
Rush. It seemed likely to terminate in favor of the
slaveholder ; but Friend Hopper thought he observed
that the judge wavered a little. He seized that mo-
ment to inquire, "Hast thou not recently published
a legal opinion, in which it is distinctly stated that
thou wouldst never seek to sustain a human law, if
thou wert convinced that it conflicted with any law
in the Bible ?"
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 203
" I did publish such a statement," replied Judge
Rush; "and I am ready to abide by it ; for in all
cases, I consider the divine law above the human."
Friend Hopper drew from his pocket a small Bi-
ble, which he had brought into court for the express
purpose, and read in loud distinct tones the follow-
ing verses : "Thou shalt not deliver unto his master
the servant which is escaped from his master unto
thee : He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in
that place which he shall choose, in one of thy gates,
where it liketh him best : thou shalt not oppress
him." Deut. 23: 15, 16.
The slaveholder smiled ; supposing this appeal to
old Hebrew law would be considered as little appli-
cable to modern times, as the command to stone a
man to death for picking up sticks on the Sabbath.
But when the judge asked for the book, read the
sentence for himself, seemed impressed by it, and ad-
journed the decision of the case, he walked out of
the court-house muttering, "I believe in my soul
the old fool will let him off on that ground." And
sure enough, the slave was discharged.
Friend Hopper's quickness in slipping through
loop-holes, and dodging round corners, rendered him
exceedingly troublesome and provoking to slave-
holders. He often kept cases pending in court three
or four years, till the claimants were completely
wearied out, and ready to settle on any terms. His
204 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
acute perception of the slightest flaw in a document,
or imperfection in evidence, always attracted notice
in the courts he attended. Judges and lawyers of-
ten remarked to him, ''Mr. Hopper, it is a great
pity you were not educated for the legal profession.
You have such a judicial mind." Mr. William
Lewis, an eminent lawyer, offered him every facility
for studying the profession. " Come to my office
and use my library whenever you please," said he ;
"or I will obtain a clerkship in the courts for you,
if you prefer that. Your mind is peculiarly adapted
to legal investigation, and if you would devote your-
self to it, you might become a judge before long."
But Friend Hopper could never overcome his
scruples about entering on a career of worldly am-
bition. He thought he had better keep humble, and
resist temptations that might lead him out of the
plainness and simplicity of the religious Society to
which he belonged.
As for the colored people of Philadelphia, they
believed in his infallibility, as devout Catholics be-
lieve in the Pope. They trusted him, and he trusted
them ; and it is remarkable in how few instances he
found his confidence misplaced. The following anec-
dote will illustrate the nature of the relation ex-
isting between him and that much abused race.
Prince Hopkins, a wood-sawyer of Philadelphia,
was claimed as a fugitive slave by John Kinsmore
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 205
of Baltimore. When Friend Hopper went to the
magistrate's office to inquire into the affair, he found
the poor fellow in tears. He asked for a private in-
terview, and the alderman gave his consent. When
they were alone, Prince confessed that he was the
slave in question. In the course of his narrative, it
appeared that he had been sent into Pennsylvania
by his mistress, and had resided there with a relative
of hers two years. Friend Hopper told him to dry
up his tears, for it was" in his power to protect him.
When he returned to the office, he informed the
magistrate that Prince Hopkins was a free man ;
having resided in Pennsylvania, with the consent of
his mistress, a much longer time than the law re-
quired. Mr. Kinsmore was irritated, and demanded
that the colored man should be imprisoned till he
could obtain legal advice.
"Let him go and finish the wood he was sawing,"
said Friend Hopper. "I will be responsible for his
appearance whenever he is wanted. If the magis-
trate will give me a commitment, Prince will call
at my house after he has finished sawing his wood,
and I will send him to jail with it. He can re-
main there, until the facts I have stated are clearly
proved."
The slave-holder and his lawyer seemed to regard
this proposition as an insult. They railed at Friend
Hopper for his "impertinent interference," and for
206 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the absurd idea of trusting "that nigger" under such
circumstances.
He replied, "I would rather trust 'that nigger/ as
you call him, than either of you." So saying, he
marched off with the magistrate's mittimus in his
pocket.
When Prince Hopkins had finished his job of
sawing, he called for the commitment, and carried
it to the jailor, who locked him up. Satisfactory
evidence of his freedom was soon obtained, and he
was discharged.
The colored people appeared to better advantage
with their undoubted friend, than they possibly could
have done where a barrier of prejudice existed. They
were not afraid to tell him their experiences in their
own way, with natural pathos, here and there dashed
with fun. A line-looking, athletic fugitive, telling
him his story one day, said, "When I first run away,
I met some people who were dreadful afraid I could
n't take care of myself. But thinks I to myself I
took care of master and myself too for a long spell ;
and I guess I can make out." With a roguish ex-
pression laughing all over his face, he added, "I
don't look as if I was suffering for a master ; do I,
Mr. Hopper?"
Though slaveholders had abundant reason to dread
Isaac T. Hopper, as they would a blister of Spanish
flies, yet he had no hardness of feeling toward them,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 207
or even toward kidnappers ; hateful as he deemed
the system, which produced them hoth.
In 1801, a sober industrious family of free colored
people, living in Pennsylvania on the borders of
Maryland, were attacked in the night by a band of
kidnappers. The parents were aged, and needed
the services of their children for support. Knowing
that the object of the marauders was to carry them
off and sell them to slave speculators, the old father
defended them to the utmost of his power. In the
struggle, he was wounded by a pistol, and one of his
daughters received a shot, which caused her death.
One of the sons, who was very ill in bed, was beaten
and bruised till he was covered with blood. But
mangled and crippled as he was, he contrived to
drag himself to a neighboring barn, and hide him-
self under the straw.
If such lawless violence had been practised upon
any white citizens, the Executive of Pennsylvania
would have immediately offered a high reward for
the apprehension of the aggressors; but the victims
belonged to a despised caste, and nothing was done
to repair their wrongs. Friend Hopper felt the
blood boil in his veins when he heard of this cruel
outrage, and his first wish was to have the offenders
punished ; but as soon as he had time to reflect,
he said, "I cannot find it in my.heart to urge this
subject upon the notice of the Executive ; for death
208 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
would be the penalty if those wretches were con-
victed."
There were many highly respectable individuals
among the colored people of Philadelphia. Richard
Allen, who had been a slave, purchased freedom
with the proceeds of his own industry. He married,
and established himself as a shoemaker in that city,
where he acquired considerable property, and built a
three-story brick house. He was the principal agent
in organizing the first congregation of colored people
in Philadelphia, and was their pastor to the day of
his death, without asking or receiving any compen-
sation. During the latter part of his life, he was
Bishop of their Methodist Episcopal Church. Ab-
salom Jones, a much respected colored man, was
his colleague. In 1793, when the yellow fever was
raging, it was extremely difficult to procure at-
tendants for the sick on any terms ; and the few
who would consent to render service, demanded ex-
orbitant prices. But Bishop Allen and Rev. Mr.
Jones never hesitated to go wherever they could be
useful ; and with them, the compensation was always
a secondary consideration. When the pestilence had
abated, the mayor sent them a certificate expressing
his approbation of their conduct. But even these
men, whose worth commanded respect, were not safe
from the legalized curse that rests upon their hunted
race. A Southern speculator arrested Bishop Allen,
IJFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 209
and claimed him as a fugitive slave, whom he had
bought running. The constable employed to serve
the warrant was ashamed to drag the good man
through the streets ; and he merely said, in a re-
spectful tone, " Mr. Allen, you will soon come down
to Alderman Todd's office, will you?"
The fugitive, whom they were seeking, had ab-
sconded only four years previous ; and everybody in
Philadelphia knew that Richard Allen had been
Jiving there more than twenty years. Yet the specu-
lator and his sons swore unblushingly that he was
the identical slave they had purchased. Mr. Allen
thought he ought to have some redress for this out-
rage ; "For," said he, "if it had not been for the
kindness of the officer, I might have been dragged
through the streets like a felon."
Isaac T. Hopper was consulted, and a civil suit
commenced. Eight hundred dollars bail was de-
manded, and the speculator, being unable to procure
it, was lodged in the debtor's prison. When he had
been there three months, Mr. Allen caused him to be
discharged ; saying he did not wish to persecute the
man, but merely to teach him not to take up free
people again, for the purpose of carrying them into
slavery.
The numerous instances of respectability among
the colored people were doubtless to be attributed in
part to the protecting influence extended over them
210 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
by the Quakers. But even in those days, the Socie-
ty of Friends were by no means all free from preju-
dice against color ; and in later times, I think they
have not proved themselves at all superior to other
sects in their feelings and practice on this subject.
Friend Hopper, Joseph Carpenter, and the few who
resemble them in this respect, are exceptions to the
general character of modern Quakers, not the rule.
The following very characteristic anecdote shows
how completely Isaac was free from prejudice on ac-
count of complexion. It is an unusual thing to see
a colored Quaker ; for the African temperament is
fervid and impressible, and requires more exciting
forms of religion. David Maps and his wife, a very
worthy couple, were the only colored members of
the Yearly Meeting to which Isaac T. Hopper be-
longed. On the occasion of the annual gathering in
Philadelphia, they came with other members of the
Society to share the hospitality of his house. A
question arose in the family whether Friends of
white complexion would object to eating with them.
"Leave that to me," said the master of the house-
hold. Accordingly when the time arrived, he an-
nounced it thus: "Friends, dinner is now ready.
David Maps and his wife will come with me ; and as
I like to have all accommodated, those who object to
dining with them can wait till they have done." The
guests smiled, and all seated themselves at the table.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 211
The conscientiousness so observable in several
anecdotes of Isaac's boyhood was strikingly mani-
fested in his treatment of a colored printer, named
Kane. This man was noted for his profane swearing.
Friend Hopper had expostulated with him concerning
this bad habit, without producing the least effect.
One day, he encountered him in the street, pouring
forth a volley of terrible oaths, enough to make one
shudder. Believing him incurable by gentler means,
he took him before a magistrate, who fined him for
blasphemy.
He did not see the man again for a long time ; but
twenty years afterward, when he was standing at
his door, Kane passed by. The Friend's heart was
touched by his appearance ; for he looked old,
feeble, and poor. He stepped out, shook hands
with him, and said in kindly tones, "Dost thou
remember me, and how I caused thee to be fined
for swearing 1 "
"Yes, indeed I do," he replied. "I remember
how many dollars I paid, as well as if it were but
yesterday."
" Did it do thee any good ; " inquired Friend Hop-
per.
"Never a bit," answered he. "It only made me
mad to have my money taken from me."
The poor man was invited to walk into the house.
The interest was calculated on the fine, and every
212 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
cent repaid to him. "I meant it for thy good," said
the benevolent Quaker ; " and I am sorry that I only
provoked thee." Kane's countenance changed at
once, and tears began to flow. He took the money
with many thanks, and was never again heard to
swear.
Friend Hopper's benevolence was by no means
confined to colored people. Wherever there was
good to be done, his heart and hand were ready.
From various anecdotes in proof of this, I select the
following.
JOHN Mc GRIER.
John was an Irish orphan, whose parents died of
yellow fever, when he was very young. He obtain-
ed a scanty living by doing errands for cartmen. In
the year 1800, when he was about fourteen years
old, there was a long period during which he could
obtain scarcely any employment. Being without
friends, and in a state of extreme destitution, he was
tempted to enter a shop and steal two dollars from
the drawer. He was pursued and taken. Isaac T.
Hopper, who was one of the inspectors of the prison
at that time, saw a crowd gathered, and went to in-
quire the cause. The poor boy's history was soon
told. Friend Hopper liked the expression of his
countenance, and pitied his forlorn condition. When
he was brought up for trial, he accompanied him,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 213
and pleaded with the judge in his favor. He urged
that the poor child's education had been entirely
neglected, and consequently he was more to be pitied
than blamed. If sent to prison, he would in all pro-
bability become hardened, if not utterly ruined. He
said if the judge would allow him to take charge of
the lad, he would promise to place him in good
hands, where he would be out of the way of tempta-
tion. The judge granted his request, and John was
placed in prison merely for a few days, till Friend
Hopper could provide for him. He proposed to his
father to have the boy bound to him. The old gen-
tleman hesitated at first, on account of his neglected
education and wild way of living ; but pity for the
orphan overcame his scruples, and he agreed to take
him. John lived with him till he was twenty-one
years of age, and was remarkably faithful and in-
dustrious. But about two years after, a neighbor
came one night to arrest him for stealing a horse.
Old Mr. Hopper assured him it was not possible
John had done such a thing ; that during all the time
he had lived in his family he had proved himself en-
tirely honest and trustworthy. The neighbor replied
that his horse had been taken to Philadelphia and
sold ; and the ferryman from Woodbury was ready
to swear that the animal was brought over by Hop-
per's John, as he was generally called. John was in
bed, but was called up to answer the accusation.
214 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
He did not attempt to deny it, but gave up the money
at once, and kept repeating that he did know what
made him do it. He was dreadfully ashamed and
distressed. He begged that Friend Isaac would not
come to see him in prison, for he could not look him
the face. His anguish of mind was so great, that
when the trial came on, he was emaciated almost to
a skeleton. Old Mr. Hopper went into court and
stated the adverse circumstances of his early life,
and his exemplary conduct during nine years that he
had lived in his family. He begged that he might
be fined instead of imprisoned, and offered to pay
the fine himself. The proposition was accepted, and
the kind old man took the culprit home.
This lenient treatment completely subdued the
last vestige of evil habits acquired in childhood. He
was humble and grateful in the extreme, and always
steady and industrious. He conducted with great
propriety ever afterward, and established such a
character for honesty, that the neighbors far and
wide trusted him to carry their produce to market,
receiving a small commission for his trouble. Even-
tually, he came to own a small house and farm,
where he lived in much comfort and respectability.
He always looked up to Isaac as the friend who had
early raised him from a downward and slippery path ;
and he was never weary of manifesting gratitude by
every little attention he could devise.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 215
LEVI BUTLER.
Some one having told Friend Hopper of an ap-
prentice who was cruelly treated, he caused investi-
gation to be made, and took the lad under his own
protection. As he was much bent upon going to
sea, he was placed in a respectable boarding-house
for sailors, till a fitting opportunity could be found
to gratify his inclination. One day, a man in the
employ of this boarding-house brought a bill to be
paid for the lad. He was very ragged, but his man-
ners were those of a gentleman, and his conversation
showed that he had been well educated. His ap-
pearance excited interest in Friend Hopper's mind,
and he inquired into his history. He said his name
was Levi Butler ; that he was of German extrac-
tion, and had been a wealthy merchant in Baltimore,
of the firm of Butler and Magruder. He married a
widow, who had considerable property, and several
children. After her death, he failed in business, and
gave up all his own property, but took the precau-
tion to secure all her property to her children. His
creditors were angry, and tried various ways to com-
pel him to pay them with his wife's money. He was
imprisoned a long time. He petitioned the Legis-
lature for release, and the committee before whom
the case was brought made a report in his favor,
highly applauding his integrity in not involving his
CI 6 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
own affairs with the property belonging to his wife's
children, who had been intrusted to his care. Po-
verty and persecution had broken down his spirits,
and when he was discharged from prison he left Bal-
timore and tried to obtain a situation as clerk in
Philadelphia. He did not succeed in procuring em-
ployment. His clothes became thread-bare, and he
had no money to purchase a new suit. In this situa-
tion, some people to whom he applied for employ-
ment treated him as if he were an impostor. In a
state of despair he went one day to drown himself.
But when he had put some heavy stones in his pocket
to make him sink rapidly, he seemed to hear a voice
calling to him to forbear ; and looking up, he saw a
man watching him. He hurried away to avoid ques-
tions, and passing by a sailor's boarding-house, he
went in and offered to wait upon the boarders for his
food. They took him upon those terms ; and the
gentleman who had been accustomed to ride in his
own carriage, and be waited upon by servants, now
roasted oysters and went of errands for common sea-
men. He was in this forlorn situation, when acci-
dent introduced him to Friend Hopper's notice. He
immediately furnished him with a suit of warm
clothes ; for the weather was cold, and his garments
thin. He employed him to post up his account-
books, and finding that he did it in a very perfect
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 217
manner, he induced several of his friends to employ
him in a similar way.
A brighter day was dawning for the unfortunate
man, and perhaps he might have attained to comfor-
table independence, if his health had not failed.
But he had taken severe colds by thin clothing and
exposure to inclement weather. A rapid consump-
tion came on, and he was soon entirely unable to
work. Under these circumstances, the best Friend
Hopper could do for him was to secure peculiar pri-
vileges at the alms-house, and surround him with, all
the little comforts that help to alleviate illness. He
visited him very often, until the day of his death,
and his sympathy and kind attentions were always
received with heartfelt gratitude.
THE MUSICAL BOY.
One day when Friend Hopper visited the prison,
he found a dark-eyed lad with a very bright expres-
sive countenance His right side was palsied, so
that the arm hung down useless. Attracted by his
intelligent face, he entered into conversation with
him, and found that he had been palsied from infan-
cy. He had been sent forth friendless into the world
from an alms-house in Maryland. In Philadelphia,
he had been committed to prison as a vagrant, be-
cause he drew crowds about him in the street by his
wonderful talent of imitating a hand-organ, merely
10
218 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
by whistling tunes through his fingers. Friend Hop-
per, who had imbibed the Quaker idea that music
was a useless and frivolous pursuit, said to the boy,
"Didst thou not know it was wrong to spend thy
time in that idle manner ?"
With ready frankness the young prisoner replied,
"No, I did not; and I should like to hear how you
can prove it to be wrong. God has given you sound
limbs. Half of my body is paralyzed, and it is im-
possible for me to work as others do. It has pleas-
ed God to give me a talent for music. I do no
harm with it. It gives pleasure to myself and oth-
ers, and enables me to gain a few coppers to buy
my bread. I should like to have you show me
wherein it is wrong."
Without attempting to do so, Friend Hopper sug-
gested that perhaps he had been committed to prison
on account of producing noise and confusion in the
streets.
"I make no riot," rejoined the youth. "I try to
please people by my tunes ; and if the crowd around
me begin to be noisy, I quietly walk off."
Struck with the good sense and sincerity of these
answers, Friend Hopper said to the jailor, " Thou
mayest set this lad at liberty. I will be responsible
for it."
The jailer relying on his well-known character,
and his intimacy with Robert Wharton, the mayor,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 219
did not hesitate to comply with his request. At that
moment, the mayor himself came in sight, and
Friend Hopper said to the lad, " Step into the next
room, and play some of thy hest tunes till I come."
" What's this?" said Mr. Wharton. "Have you
got a hand-organ here !"
" Yes," replied Friend Hopper; " and I will show-
it to thee. It is quite curious."
At first, the mayor could not believe that the
sounds he had heard were produced by a lad merely
whistling through his fingers. He thought them
highly agreeable, and asked to have the tunes re-
peated.
* "The lad was committed to prison for no other
offence than making that noise, which seems to thee
so pleasant," said Friend Hopper. "I dare say thou
wouldst like to make it thyself, if thou could st. I
have taken the liberty to discharge him."
"Very well," rejoined the mayor, with a smile.
"You have done quite right, Friend Isaac. You
may go, my lad. I shall not trouble you. But try
not to collect crowds about the streets."
"That I cannot help," replied the youth. "The
crowds will come, when I whistle for them ; and I
get coppers by collecting crowds. But I promise
you I will try to avoid their making any riot or con-
fusion."
220 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
MARY NORRIS.
A stout healthy woman, named Mary Norris was
continually taken nip as a vagrant, or committed for
petty larceny. As soon as she was discharged from
the penalty of one misdemeanor, she was committed
for another. One day, Friend Hopper, who was
then inspector, said to her, "Well, Mary, thy time
is out next week. Dost thou think thou shalt come
back again?"
"Yes," she replied sullenly.
"Dost thou like to come back?" inquired he.
"No, to be sure I don't," rejoined the prisoner.
"But I've no doubt I shall come back before the
month is out."
"Why dost thou not make a resolution to behave
better?" said the kindly inspector.
"What use would it be?" she replied. "You
would n't take me into your family. The doctor
would n't take me into his family. No respectable
person would have anything to do with me. My
associates must be such acquaintances as I make
here. If they steal, I am taken up for it ; no matter
whether I am guilty or not. I am an old convict,
and nobody believes what I say. O, yes, I shall
come back again. To be sure I shall come back,"
she repeated bitterly.
Her voice and manner excited Friend Hopper's
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 221
compassion, and he thus addressed her: "If I will
get a place for thee in some respectable family
where they will be kind to thee, wilt thou give me
thy word that thou wilt be honest and steady, and
try to do thy duty."
Her countenance brightened, and she eagerly an-
swered, "Yes I will! And thank God and you too,
the longest day I have to live."
He exerted his influence in her behalf, and pro-
cured a situation for her as head-nurse at the alms-
house. She was well contented there, and behaved
with great propriety. Seventeen years afterward,
when Friend Hopper had not seen her for a long
time, he called to inquire about her, and was in-
formed that during all those years, she had been an
honest, sober, and useful woman. She was rejoiced
to see him again, and expressed lively gratitude,
for the quiet and comfortable life she enjoyed through
his agency.
THE MAGDALEN.
Upon one occasion, Friend Hopper entered a com-
plaint against an old woman, who had presided over
an infamous house for many years. She was tried,
and sentenced to several months imprisonment. He
went to see her several times, and talked very se-
riously with her concerning the errors of her life.
Finding that his expostulations made some impres-
222 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
sion, he asked if she felt willing to amend her ways.
"Oh, I should be thankful to do it !" she exclaimed.
"But who would trust me ? What can I do to earn
an honest living ? Everybody curses me, or makes
game of me. How can I be a better woman, if I try
ever so hard?"
"I will give thee a chance to amend thy life," he
replied ; " and if thou dost not, it shall be thy own
fault."
He went round among the wealthy Quakers, and
by dint of great persuasion he induced one to let her
a small tenement at very low rent. A few others
agreed to purchase some humble furniture, and a
quantity of thread, needles, tape, and buttons, to
furnish a small shop. The poor old creature's heart
overflowed with gratitude, and it was her pride to
keep everything very neat and orderly. There she
lived contented and comfortable the remainder of her
days, and became much respected in the neighbor-
hood. The tears often came to her eyes when she
saw Friend Hopper. "God bless that good man !"
she would say. "He has been the salvation of
me."
THE UNCOMPLIMENTARY INVITATION.
A preacher of the Society of Friends felt im-
pressed with the duty of calling a meeting for vicious
people ; and Isaac T. Hopper was appointed to col-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 223
lect an audience. In the course of this mission, he
knocked at the door of a very infamous house. A
gentleman who was acquainted with him was passing
by, and he stopped to say, "Friend Hopper, you
have mistaken the house."
"No, I have not," he replied.
"But that is a house of notorious ill fame," said
the gentleman.
"I know it," rejoined he; "but nevertheless I
have business here."
His acquaintance looked surprised, but passed on
without further query. A colored girl came to the
door. To the inquiry whether her mistress was
within, she answered in the affirmative. "Tell her
I wish to see her," said Friend Hopper. The girl
was evidently astonished at a visitor in Quaker cos-
tume, and of such grave demeanor ; but she went
and did the errand. A message was returned that
her mistress was engaged and could not see any one.
"Where is she ?" he inquired. The girl replied that
she was up-stairs. "I will go to her," said the im-
portunate messenger.
The mistress of the house heard him, and leaning
over the balustrade of the stairs, she screamed out,
"What do you want with me, sir?"
In very loud tones he answered, "James Simpson,
a minister of the Society of Friends, has appointed
a meeting to be held this afternoon, in Penrose store,
224 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Almond-street. It is intended for publicans, sinners,
and harlots. I want thee to be there, and bring thy
whole household with thee. Wilt thou come ?"
She promised that she would ; and he afterward
saw her at the meeting melted into tears by the di-
rect and affectionate preaching.
THEFT FROxM NECESSITY.
One day, when the family were in the midst of
washing, a man called at Isaac T. Hopper's house to
buy soap fat, and was informed they had none to
sell. A minute after he had passed out, the domes-
tic came running in to say that he had stolen some
of the children's clothes from the line. Friend Hop-
per followed him quickly, and called out, "Dost thou
want to buy some soap-fat ? Come back if thou
dost."
When the man had returned to the kitchen, he
said, "Now give up the clothes thou hast stolen."
The culprit was extremely confused, but denied
that he had stolen anything.
" Give them up at once, without any more words.
It will be much better for thee," said Friend Hopper,
in his firm way.
Thus urged, the stranger drew from his bosom
some small shirts and flannel petticoats. "My wife
is very sick," said he. " She has a babe two weeks
old, wrapped up in an old rag ; and when I saw this
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 225
comfortable clothing on the line, I was tempted to
take it for the poor little creature. We have no fuel
except a little tan. A herring is the last mouthful of
food we have in the house ; and when I came away,
It was broiling on the hot tan."
His story excited pity ; but fearing it might be
made up for the occasion, Friend Hopper took him
to a magistrate and said, "Please give me a com-
mitment for this man. If he tells a true story, I
will tear it up. I will go and see for myself."
When he arrived at the wretched abode, he found
a scene of misery that pained him to the heart.
The room was cold, and the wife was in bed, pale
and suffering. Her babe had no clothing, except a
coarse rag torn from the ~kirt of an old coat. Of
course he destroyed the commitment immediately.
His next step was to call upon the rich Quakers of
his acquaintance, and obtain from them contributions
of wood, flour, rice, bread, and warm garments. Em-
ployment was soon after procured for the man, and
he was enabled to support his family comfortably.
He never passed Friend Hopper in the street without
making a low bow, and often took occasion to ex-
press his grateful acknowledgments.
PATRICK Mc KEEVER.
Patrick was a poor Irishman in Philadelphia. He
and another man were arrested on a charge of burgla-
10*
226 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ry, convicted and sentenced to be hung. I am igno-
rant of the details. of his crime, or why the sentence
was not carried into execution. There were probably
some palliating circumstances in his case ; for though
he was carried to the gallows, seated on his coffin,
he was spared for some reason, and his companion
was hung. He was afterward sentenced to ten
years imprisonment, and this was eventually short-
ened one year. During the last three years of his
term, Friend. Hopper was one of the inspectors, and
frequently talked with him in a gentle, fatherly man-
ner. The convict was a man of few words, and
hope seemed almost dead within him ; but though he
made no large promises, his heart was evidently
touched by the voice of kindness. As soon as he
was released, he went immediately to work at his
trade of tanning leather, and conducted himself in
the most exemplary manner. Being remarkable for
capability, and the amount of work he could accom-
plish, he soon had plenty of employment. He pass-
ed Friend Hopper's house every day, as he went to
his work, and often received from him words of
friendly encouragement.
Things were going on thus satisfactorily, when
his friend heard that constables were in pursuit of
him, on account of a robbery committed the night
before. He went straight to the mayor, and inquired
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 227
why orders had been given to arrest Patrick Mc-
Keever.
"Because there has been a robbery committed in
his neighborhood," replied the magistrate.
He inquired what proof there was that Patrick
had been concerned in it.
"None at all," rejoined the mayor. "But he is
an old convict, and that is enough to condemn him. ,,
" It is not enough, by any means," answered Friend
Hopper. "Thou hast no right to arrest any citizen
without a shadow of proof against him. In this
case, I advise thee by all means to proceed with hu-
mane caution. This man has severely atoned for
the crime he did commit ; and since he wishes to re-
form, his past history ought never to be mentioned
against him. He has been perfectly honest, sober,
and industrious, since he came out of prison. I
think I know his state of mind ; and I am willing to
take the responsibility of saying that he is guiltless
in this matter."
The mayor commended Friend Hopper's bene-
volence, but remained unconvinced. To all argu-
ments he replied, "He is an old convict, and that is
enough."
Patrick's kind friend watched for him as he passed
to his daily labors, and told him that he would pro-
bably be arrested for the robbery that had been com-
mitted in his neighborhood. The poor fellow bowed
228 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
down his head, the light vanished from his counte-
nance, and hope seemed to have forsaken him utter-
ly. "Well," said he, with a deep sigh, "I suppose
I must make up my mind to spend the remainder of
my days in prison."
"Thou wert not concerned in this robbery, wert
thou ?" inquired Friend Hopper, looking earnestly in
his face.
" No, indeed I was not," he replied. " God be my
witness, I want to lead an honest life, and be at
peace with all men. But what good will that do
me ? Everybody will say, he has been in the State
Prison, and that is enough."
His friend did not ask him twice ; for he felt as-
sured that he had spoken truly. He advised him to
go directly to the mayor, deliver himself up, and de-
clare his innocence. This wholesome advice was
received with deep dejection. He had lost faith in
his fellow-men ; for they had been to him as ene-
mies. "I know what will come of it," said he.
" They will put me in prison whether there is any
proof against me, or not. They won't let me out
without somebody will be security for me ; and who
will be security for an old convict ?"
"Keep up a good heart," replied Friend Hopper.
"Go to the mayor and speak as I have advised thee.
If they talk of" putting thee in prison, send for me."
Patrick acted in obedience to this advice, and was
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 229
treated just as he had expected. Though there was
not a shadow of proof against him, his being an old
convict was deemed sufficient reason for sending him
to jail.
Friend Hopper appeared in his behalf. "I am
ready to affirm that I believe this man to be inno-
cent," said he. " It will be a very serious injury for
him to be taken from his business and detained in
prison until this can be proved. Moreover, the effect
upon his mind may be completely discouraging. I
will be security for his appearance when called for ;
and I know very well that he will not think of giv-
ing me the slip."
The gratitude of the poor fellow was overwhelm-
ing. He sobbed till his strong frame shook like a
leaf in the wind. The real culprits were soon after
discovered. For thirty years after and to the day of
his death, Patrick continued to lead a virtuous and
useful life ; for which he always thanked Friend
Hopper, as the instrument of Divine Providence.
THE UMBRELLA GIRL.
A young girl, the only daughter of a poor widow,
removed from the country to Philadelphia to earn
her living by covering umbrellas. She was very
handsome ; with glossy black hair, large beaming
eyes, and "lips like wet coral." She was just at
that susceptible age when youth is ripening into wo-
230 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
manhood, when the soul begins to be pervaded by
"that restless principle, which impels poor humans
to seek perfection in union."
At a hotel near the store for which she worked an
English traveller, called Lord Henry Stuart, had tak-
en lodgings. He was a strikingly handsome man,
and of princely carriage. As this distinguished stran-
ger passed to and from his hotel, he encountered the
umbrella girl, and was attracted by her uncommon
beauty. He easily traced her to the store, where he
soon after went to purchase an umbrella. This was
followed up by presents of flowers, chats by the way-
side, and invitations to walk or ride ; all of which
were gratefully accepted by the unsuspecting rustic ;
for she was as ignorant of the dangers of a city as
were the squirrels of her native fields. He was
merely playing a game for temporary excitement.
She, with a head full of romance, and a heart melt-
ing under the influence of love, was unconsciously
endangering the happiness of her whole life.
Lord Henry invited her to visit the public gardens
on the Fourth of July. In the simplicity of her
heart, she believed all his flattering professions, and
considered herself his bride elect ; she therefore ac-
cepted the invitation with innocent frankness. But
she had no dress fit to appear in on such a public oc-
casion, with a gentleman of high rank, whom she
verily supposed'to be her destined husband. While
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 231
these thoughts revolved in her mind, her eye was un-
fortunately attracted by a beautiful piece of silk, be-
longing to her employer. Could she not take it,
without being seen, and pay for it secretly, when she
had earned money enough ? The temptation con-
quered her in a moment of weakness. She conceal-
ed the silk, and conveyed it to her lodgings. It was
the first thing she had ever stolen, and her remorse
was painful. She would have carried it back, but
she dreaded discovery. She was not sure that her
repentance would be met in a spirit of forgiveness.
On the eventful Fourth of July, she came out in
her new dress. Lord Henry complimented her upon
her elegant appearance, but she was not happy. On
their way to the gardens, he talked to her in a man-
ner which she did not comprehend. Perceiving this,
he spoke more explicitly. The guileless young crea-
ture stopped, looked in his face with mournful re-
proach, and burst into tears. The nobleman took
her hand kindly, and said, "My dear, are you an in-
nocent girl ?"
"I am, I am," she replied, with convulsive sobs.
"Oh, what have I ever done, or said, that you should
ask me such a question ?"
The evident sincerity of her words stirred the
deep fountains of his better nature. "If you are
innocent," said he, "God forbid that I should make
you otherwise. But you accepted my invitations
232 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and presents so readily, that I supposed you under-
stood me."
"What could I understand," said she, " except
that you intended to make me your wife ?"
Though reared amid the proudest distinctions of
rank, he felt no inclination to smile. He blushed
and was silent. The heartless conventionalities of
the world stood rebuked in the presence of affection-
ate simplicity. He conveyed her to her humble
home, and bade her farewell, with a thankful con-
sciousness that he had done no irretrievable injury to
her future prospects. The remembrance of her
would soon be to him as the recollection of last
year's butterflies. With her, the wound was deep.
In the solitude of her chamber she wept in bitter-
ness of heart over her ruined air-castles. And that
dress, which she had stolen to make an appearance
befitting his bride ! Oh, what if she should be dis-
covered ? And would not the heart of her poor wi-
dowed mother break, if she should ever know that
her child was a thief?
Alas, her wretched forebodings proved too true.
The silk was traced to her ; she was arrested on her
way to the store and dragged to prison. There she
refused all nourishment, and wept incessantly. On
the fourth day, the keeper called upon Isaac T.
Hopper, and informed him that there was a young
girl in prison, who appeared to be utterly friendless,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 233
and determined to die by starvation. The kind-
hearted Friend immediately went to her assistance.
He found her lying on the floor of her cell, with her
face buried in her hands, sobbing as if her heart
would break. He tried to comfort her, but could
obtain no answer.
"Leave us alone," said he to the keeper. "Per-
haps she will speak to me, if there is no one to hear."
When they were alone together, he put back the
hair from her temples, laid his hand kindly on her
beautiful head, and said in soothing tones, "My
child, consider me as thy father. Tell me all thou
hast done. If thou hast taken this silk, let me know
all about it. I will do for thee as I would for my
own daughter ; and I doubt not that I can help thee
out of this difficulty."
After a long time spent in affectionate entreaty,
she leaned her young head on his friendly shoulder,
and sobbed out, "Oh, I wish I was dead. What
will my poor mother say when she knows of my dis-
grace ?"
"Perhaps we can manage that she never shall
know it," replied he. Alluring her by this hope, he
gradually obtained from her the whole story of her
acquaintance with the nobleman. He bade her be
comforted, and take nourishment ; for he would see
that the silk was paid for, and the prosecution with-
drawn.
234 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
He went immediately to her employer, and told
him the story. "This is her first offence, " said he.
"The girl is young, and she is the only child of a
poor widow. Give her a chance to retrieve this one
false step, and she may be restored to society, a use-
ful and honored woman. I will see that thou art
paid for the silk." The man readily agreed to with-
draw the prosecution, and said he would have dealt
otherwise by the girl, if he had known all the cir-
cumstances. "Thou shouldst have inquired into the
merits of the case," replied Friend Hopper. "By
this kind of thoughtlessness, many a young creature
is driven into the downward path, who might easily
have been saved."
The kind-hearted man next proceeded to the ho-
tel, and with Quaker simplicity of speech inquired
for Henry Stuart. The servant said his lordship
had not yet risen. "Tell him my business is of im-
portance," said Friend Hopper. The servant soon
returned and conducted him to the chamber. The
nobleman appeared surprised that a stranger, in the
plain Quaker costume, should thus intrude upon his
luxurious privacy. When he heard his errand, he
blushed deeply, and frankly admitted the truth of the
girl's statement. His benevolent visitor took the op-
portunity to "bear a testimony" against the selfish-
ness and sin of profligacy. He did it in such a kind
and fatherly manner, that the young man's heart was
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 235
touched. He excused himself, by saying that he
would not have tampered with the girl, if he had
known her to be virtuous. "I have done .many
wrong things," said he, "but thank God, no betrayal
of confiding innocence weighs on my conscience. I
have always esteemed it the basest act of which man
is capable." The imprisonment of the poor girl, and
the forlorn situation in which she had been found,
distressed him greatly. When Friend Hopper re-
presented that the silk had been stolen for his sake,
that the girl had thereby lost profitable employment,
and was obliged to return to her distant home, to
avoid the danger of exposure, he took out a fifty dol-
lar note, and offered it to pay her expenses.
"Nay," said Isaac. "Thou art a very rich man,
I presume. I see in thy hand a large roll of such
notes. She is the daughter of a poor widow, and
thou hast been the means of doing her great injury.
Give me another."
Lord Henry handed him another fifty dollar note,
and smiled as he said, "You understand your busi-
ness well. But you have acted nobly, and I reve-
rence you for it. If you ever visit England, come to
see me. I will give you a cordial welcome, and
treat you like a nobleman."
"Farewell, friend," replied the Quaker. "Though
much to blame in this affair, thou too hast behaved
nobly. Mayst thou be blessed in domestic life, and
236 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
trifle no more with the feelings of poor girls ; not
even with those whom others have betrayed and de-
serted."
When the girl was arrested, she had sufficient pre-
sence of mind to assume a false name, and by that
means, her true name had been kept out of the news-
papers. "I did this," said she, "for my poor mo-
ther's sake." With the money given by Lord Stuart,
the silk was paid for, and she was sent home to her
mother well provided with clothing. Her name and
place of residence forever remained a secret in the
breast of her benefactor.
Years after these events transpired, a lady called
at Friend Hopper's house, and asked to see him.
W r hen he entered the room, he found a handsomely
dressed young matron, with a blooming boy of five
or six years old. She rose quickly to meet him, and
her voice choked as she said, "Friend Hopper, do
you know me ?" He replied that he did not. She
fixed her tearful eyes earnestly upon him, and said,
"You once helped me when in great distress." But
the good missionary of humanity had helped too
many in distress, to be able to recollect her without
more precise information. With a tremulous voice,
she bade her son go into the next room for a few mi-
nutes ; then dropping on her knees, she hid her face
in his lap, and sobbed out, "I am the girl who stole
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 237
the silk. Oh, where should I now be, if it had not
been for you !"
When her emotion was somewhat calmed, she
told him that she had married a highly respectable
man, a senator of his native state. Being on a visit
in Friend Hopper's vicinity, she had again and again
passed his dwelling, looking wistfully at the windows
to catch a sight of him ; but when she attempted to
enter her courage failed.
"But I must return home to-morrow," said she,
"and I could not go away without once more seeing
and thanking him who saved me from ruin." She
recalled her little boy, and said to him, "Look at
that gentleman, and remember him well ; for he was
the best friend your mother ever had." With an
earnest invitation to visit her happy home, and a fer-
vent " God bless you !" she bade her benefactor fare-
well.
THE TWO YOUNG OFFENDERS.
In the neighborhood of Carlisle, -Pennsylvania,
there lived a man whose temper was vindictive and
badly governed. Having become deeply offended
with one of his neighbors, he induced his two sons
to swear falsely that he had committed an infamous
crime. One of the lads was about fifteen years old,
and the other about seventeen. The alleged of-
fence was of so gross a nature, and was so at vari-
238 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ance with the fair character of the person accused
that the witnesses were subjected to a very careful
and shrewd examination. They became embarrass-
ed, and the flaws in their evidence were very obvi-
ous. They were indicted for conspiracy against an
innocent man ; and being taken by surprise, they
were thrown into confusion, acknowledged their
guilt, and declined the offer of a trial. They were
sentenced to two years' imprisonment at hard labor
in the Penitentiary of Philadelphia.
Isaac T. Hopper, who was at that time one of the
inspectors, happened to be at the prison when they
arrived at dusk, hand-cuffed and chained together, m
custody of the sheriff. Their youth and desolate
appearance excited his compassion. "Keep up a
crood heart, my poor lads," said he. "You can re-
trieve this one false step, if you will but make the
effort. It is still in your power to become respecta-
ble and useful men. I will help you all I can."
He gave particular directions that they should be
placed in a room by themselves, apart from the con-
tagion of more hardened offenders. To prevent un-
profitable conversation, they were constantly em-
ployed in the noisy occupation of heading nails.
From time to time, the humane inspector spoke
soothing and encouraging words to them, and com-
mended their good behavior. When the Board of
Inspectors met, he proposed that the lads should be
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 239
recommended to the governor for pardon. Not suc-
ceeding in this effort, he wrote an article on the im-
propriety of confining juvenile offenders with old
hardened convicts. He published this in the daily
papers, and it produced considerable effect. When
the Board again met, Isaac T. Hopper and Thomas
Dobson were appointed to wait on the governor, to
obtain a pardon for the lads if possible. After con-
siderable hesitation, the request was granted on con-
dition that worthy men could be found, who would
take them as apprentices. Friend Hopper agreed to
find such persons ; and he kept his word. One of
them was bound to a tanner, the other to a carpen-
ter. But their excellent friend did not lose sight of
them. He reminded them that they were now going
among strangers, and their success and happiness
would mainly depend on their ow T n conduct. He
begged of them, if they should ever get entangled
with unprofitable company, or become involved in
difficulty of any kind, to come to him, as they would
to a considerate father. He invited them to spend
all their leisure evenings at his house. For a long
time, it was their constant practice to take tea with
him every Sunday, and join the family in reading
the Bible and other serious books.
At the end of a year, they expressed a strong de-
sire to visit their father. Some fears were enter-
tained lest his influence over them should prove in-
240 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
jurious ; and that being once freed from restraint,
they would not willingly return to constant industry
and regular habits. They, however, promised faith-
fully that they would, and Friend Hopper thought it
might have a good effect upon them to know that
they were trusted. He accordingly entered into
bonds for them ; thinking this additional claim on
their gratitude would strengthen his influence over
them, and help to confirm their good resolutions.
They returned punctually at the day and hour
they had promised, and their exemplary conduct
continued to give entire satisfaction to their employ-
ers. A short time after the oldest had fulfilled the
term of his indenture, the tanner with whom he
worked bought a farm, and sold his stock and tools
to his former apprentice. Friend Hopper took him
to the governor's house, dressed in his new suit of
freedom clothes, and introduced him as one of the
lads whom he had pardoned several years before ;
testifying that he had been a faithful apprentice, and
much respected by his master. The governor was
well pleased to see him, shook hands with him very
cordially, and told him that he who was resolute
enough to turn back from vicious ways, into the
paths of virtue and usefulness, deserved even more
respect than one who had never been tempted.
He afterward married a worthy young woman
with a small property, which enabled him to build a
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 241
neat two-story brick house. He always remained
sober and industrious, and they lived in great com-
fort and respectability.
The younger brother likewise passed through his
apprenticeship in a manner very satisfactory to his
friends ; and at twenty-one years of age, he also was
introduced to the governor with testimonials of his
good conduct. He was united to a very respectable
young woman, but died a few years after his mar-
riage.
Both these young men always cherished warm
gratitude and strong attachment for Isaac T. Hop-
per. They both regularly attended the meetings of
the Society of Friends, which had become pleasantly
associated in their minds with the good influences
they had received from their benefactor.
Friend Hopper was a strict disciplinarian while he
was inspector, and it was extremely difficult for the
prisoners to deceive him by any artful devices, or hy-
pocritical pretences. But he was always in the habit
of talking with them in friendly style, inquiring into
their history and plans, sympathizing with their
troubles and temptations, encouraging them to re-
form, and promising to assist them if they would try
to help themselves. It was his custom to take a
ramble in the country with his children every Satur-
day afternoon. All who were old enough to walk
joined the troop. They always stopped at the prison,
11
242 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and were well pleased to deliver to the poor inmates,
with their own small hands, such little comforts as
their father had provided for the purpose. He was
accustomed to say that there was not one among the
convicts, however desperate they might be, with
whom he should be afraid to trust himself alone at
midnight with large sums of money in his pocket.
An acquaintance once cautioned him against a pri-
soner, whose temper was extremely violent and re-
vengeful, and who had been heard to swear that he
would take the life of some of the keepers. Soon
after this warning, Friend Hopper summoned the
desperate fellow, and told him he was wanted to pile
a quantity of lumber in the cellar. He went down
with him to hold the light, and they remained more
than an hour alone together, out of hearing of every-
body. When he told this to the man who had cau-
tioned him, he replied, "Well, I confess you have
good courage. I would n't have done it for the
price of the prison and all the ground it stands
upon ; for I do assure you he is a terrible fellow."
" I don't doubt he is," rejoined the courageous
inspector; "but I knew he would n't kill me. I
have always been a friend to him, and he is aware
of it. What motive could he have for harming
me : •»-
One of the prisoners, who had been convicted of
man-slaughter, became furious, in consequence of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 243
being threatened with a whipping. When they at-
tempted to bring him out of his dungeon to receive
punishment, he seized a knife and a club, rushed
back again, and swore he would kill the first person
who came near him. Being a very strong man, and
in a state of madness, no one dared to approach him.
They tried to starve him into submission ; but finding
he was not to be subdued in that way, they sent for
Friend Hopper, as they were accustomed to do in
all such difficult emergencies. He went boldly into
the cell, looked the desperado calmly in the face,
and said, "It is foolish for thee to contend with the
authorities. Thou wilt be compelled to yield at last.
I will inquire into thy case. If thou hast been un-
justly dealt by, I promise thee it shall be remedied."
This kind and sensible remonstrance had the desired
effect . From that time forward, he had great in-
fluence over the ferocious fellow, who was always
willing to be guided by his advice, and finally became
one of the most reasonable and orderly inmates of
the prison.
I have heard Friend Hopper say that while he
was inspector he aided and encouraged about fifty
young convicts, as nearly as he could recollect ; and
all, except two, conducted in such a manner as to
satisfy the respectable citizens whom he had induced
to employ them. He was a shrewd observer of the
countenances and manners of men, and doubtless
244 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
that was one reason why he was not often disap-
pointed in those he trusted.
The humor which characterized his boyhood,
remained with him in maturer years, and often ef-
fervesced on the surface of his acquired gravity ; as
will appear in the following anecdotes.
Upon a certain occasion, a man called on him with
a due bill for twenty dollars against an estate he had
been employed to settle. Friend Hopper put it away,
saying he would examine it and attend to it as soon
as he had leisure. The man called again a short
time after, and stated that he had need of six dol-
lars, and was willing to give a receipt for the whole
if that sum were advanced. This proposition excited
suspicion, and the administrator decided in his own
mind that he would pay nothing till he had examined
the papers of the deceased. Searching carefully
among these, he found a receipt for the money, men-
tioning the identical items, date, and circumstances
of the transaction ; stating that a due-bill had been
given and lost, and was to be restored by the credi-
tor when found. When the man called again for
payment, Isaac said to him, in a quiet way, "Friend
Jones, I understand thou hast become pious lately."
He replied in a solemn tone, "Yes, thanks to
the Lord Jesus, I have found out^he way of sal-
vation."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 245
"And thou hast been dipped I hear," continued
the Quaker. "Dost thou know James Hunter?"
Mr. Jones answered in the affirmative.
"Well, he also was dipped some time ago," re-
joined Friend Hopper ; " but his neighbors say they
did n't get the crown of his head under water. The
devil crept into the unbaptized part, and has been
busy within him ever since. I am afraid they did n't
get thee quite under water. I think thou hadst bet-
ter be dipped again."
As he spoke, he held up the receipt for twenty
dollars. The countenance of the professedly pious
man became scarlet, and he disappeared instantly.
A Dutchman once called upon Friend Hopper, and
said, "A tief have stole mine goots. They tell me
you can help me, may be." Upon inquiring the
when and the where, Friend Hopper concluded that
the articles had been stolen by a man whom he hap-
pened to know the police had taken up a few hours
previous. But being disposed to amuse himself, he
inquired very seriously, "What time of the moon
was it, when thy goods were stolen ? Having re-
ceived information concerning that particular, he
took a slate and began to cipher diligently. After a
while, he looked up, and pronounced in a very ora-
cular manner, 40Thou wilt find thy goods."
"Shall I find mine goots ?" exclaimed the delight-
ed Dutchman ; "and where is de tief?"
24G LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"Art thou quite sure about the age of the moon?"
inquired the pretended magician. Being assured
there was no mistake on that point, he ciphered
again for a few minutes, and then answered, "Thou
wilt find the thief in the hands of the police."
The Dutchman went away, evidently inspired with
profound reverence. Having found his goods and
the thief, according to prediction, he returned and
asked for a private interview. "Tell me dat secret,"
said he, "and I will pay you a heap of money."
"What secret?" inquired Friend Hopper.
"Tell me how you know I will find mine goots,
and where I will find de tief?" rejoined he.
"The plain truth is, I guessed it," was the reply ;
"because I had heard there was a thief at the police
office, with such goods as thou described."
"But what for you ask about de moon?" inquired
the Dutchman. "You make figures, and den you
say, you will find your goots. You make figures
again, den you tell me where is de tief. I go, and
find mine goots and de tief, just as you say. Tell
me how you do dat, and I will pay you a heap of
money."
Though repeatedly assured that it was done only
for a joke, he went away unsatisfied : and to the day
of his death, he fully believed tb^i the facetious
Quaker was a conjuror.
When Friend Hopper hired one of two houses
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 247
where the back yards were not separated, he found
himself considerably incommoded by the disorderly
habits of his next neighbor. The dust and dirt daily
swept into the yard were allowed to accumulate there
in a heap, which the wind often scattered over the
neater premises adjoining. The mistress of the
house was said to be of an irritable temper, likely to
take offence if asked to adopt a different system.
He accordingly resolved upon a course, which he
thought might cure the evil without provoking a dis-
pute. One day, when he saw his neighbor in her
kitchen, he called his own domestic to come out into
the yard. Pointing to the heap of dirt, he exclaimed,
loud enough to be heard in the next house, "Betsy,
art thou not ashamed to sweep dust and litter into
such a heap. See how it is blowing about our
neighbor's yard ! Art thou not ashamed of thy-
self?"
"I didn't sweep any dirt there," replied the girl.
" They did it themselves."
"Pshaw ! Pshaw ! don't tell me that," rejoined he.
"Our neighbor wouldn't do such an untidy thing. I
wonder she hasn't complained of thee before now.
Be more careful in future ; for I should be very sor-
ry to give her any occasion to say she couldn't keep
the yard cleamon our account."
The domestic read his meaning in the roguish ex-
pression of his eye, and she remained silent. The
248 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
lesson took effect. The heap of dirt was soon re-
moved, and never appeared afterward.
Such a character as Isaac T. Hopper was of
course well known throughout the city where lie
lived. Every school-boy had heard something of his
doings, and as he walked the street, everybody re-
cognized him, from the chief justice to the chim-
ney-sweep. His personal appearance was calculated
to attract attention, independent of other circumstan-
ces. Joseph Bonaparte, who then resided at Borden-
town, was attracted toward him the first moment he
saw him, on account of a strong resemblance to his
brother Napoleon. They often met in the steam-
boat going down the Delaware, and on such occa-
sions, the ex-king frequently pointed him out as the
most remarkable likeness of the emperor, that he
had ever met in Europe or America. He expressed
the opinion that with Napoleon's uniform on, he
might be mistaken for him, even by his own house-
hold ; and if he were to appear thus in Paris, noth-
ing could be easier than for him to excite a revolu-
tion.
But the imperial throne, even if it had been di-
rectly offered to him, would have proved no tempta-
tion to a soul like his. In some respects, his charac-
ter, as well as his person, strongly resembled Napo-
leon. But his powerful will was remarkably under
the control of conscience, and his energy was tern-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 249
pered by an unusual share of benevolence. If the
other elements of his character had not been balan-
ced by these two qualities, he also might have been a
skilful diplomatist, and a successful leader of armies.
Fortunately for himself and others, he had a nobler
ambition than that of making widows and orphans
by wholesale slaughter. The preceding anecdotes
show how warmly he sympathized with the poor, the
oppressed, and the erring, without limitation of
country, creed, or complexion ; and how diligently
he labored in their behalf. But from the great
amount of public service that he rendered, it must
not be inferred that he neglected private duties.
Perhaps no man was ever more devotedly attached
to wife and children than he was. His Sarah, as he
was wont to call her, was endowed with qualities
well calculated to retain a strong hold on the affec-
tions of a sensible and conscientious man. Her
kindly disposition, and the regular, simple habits 01
her life, were favorable to the preservation of that
beauty, which had won his boyish admiration. Her
wavy brown hair was softly shaded by the delicate
transparent muslin of her Quaker cap ; her face had
a tender and benign expression ; and her complexion
was so clear, that an old gentleman, who belonged
to the Society of Friends, and who was of course
not much addicted to poetic comparisons, used to say
he could never look at her without thinking of the
11*
250 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
clear pink and white of a beautiful conch-shell. She
was scrupulously neat, and had something of that
chastened coquetry in dress, which is apt to charac-
terize the handsome women of her orderly sect.
Her drab-colored gown, not high in the neck, was
bordered by a plain narrow tucker of fine muslin, vi-
sible under her snow-white neckerchief. A white
under-sleeve came just below the elbow, where it
terminated in a very narrow band, nicely stitched,
and fastened with two small silver buttons, connected
by a chain. She was a very industrious woman, and
remarkably systematic in her household affairs ;
thus she contrived to find time for everything, though
burdened with the care of a large and increasing
family. The apprentices always sat at table with
them, and she maintained a perfect equality between
them and her own children. She said it was her
wish to treat them precisely as she would like to
have her boys treated, if they should become appren-
tices. On Sunday evenings, which they called First
Day evenings, the whole family assembled to hear
Friend Hopper read portions of scripture, or writings
of the early Friends. On such occasions, the mother
often gave religious exhortations to the children and
apprentices, suited to the occurrences of the week,
and the temptations to which they were peculiarly
subject. During the last eight years of her life, she
was a recommended minister of the Society of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 251
Friends, and often preached at their meetings. Her
manners were affable, and her conversation peculiar-
ly agreeable to young people. But she knew when
silence was seemly, and always restrained her dis-
course within the limits of discretion. When any of
her children talked more than was useful, she was
accustomed to administer this concise caution : "My
dear, it is a nice thing to say nothing, when thou
hast nothing to say." Her husband was proud of
her, and always manifested great deference for her
opinion. She suffered much anxiety on account of
the perils to which he was often exposed in his con-
tests with slaveholders and kidnappers ; and for
many years, the thought was familiar to her mind
that she might one day see him brought home a
corpse. While the yellow fever raged in Philadel-
phia, she had the same anxiety concerning his fear-
less devotion to the victims of that terrible disease,
who were dying by hundreds around them. But she
had a large and sympathizing heart, and she never
sought to dissuade him from what he considered the
path of duty. When one of his brothers was strick-
en with the fever, and the family with whom he re-
sided were afraid to shelter him, she proposed to
have him brought under their own roof, where he
was carefully nursed till he died. She was more re-
luctant to listen to his urgent entreaties that she
would retire into the country with the children, and
252 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
remain with them beyond the reach of contagion ;
for her heart was divided between the husband of
her youth and the nurslings of her bosom. *But his
anxiety concerning their children was so great, that
she finally consented to pursue the course most con-
ducive to his peace of mind ; and he was left in the
city with a colored domestic to superintend his house-
hold affairs. Through this terrible ordeal of pesti-
lence he passed unscathed, though his ever ready
sympathy brought him into frequent contact with
the dying and the dead.
Besides this public calamity, which darkened the
whole city for a time, Friend Hopper shared the
common lot of humanity in the sad experiences of
private life. Several of his children died at that at-
tractive age, when the bud of infancy is blooming
into childhood. Relatives and friends crossed the
dark river to the unknown shore.- On New Year's
day, 1797, his mother departed from this world at fif-
ty-six years old. In 1818, his father died at seventy-
five years of age. His physical vigor was remarka-
ble. When he had weathered seventy winters, he
went to visit his eldest son, and being disappointed
in meeting the stage to return, as he expected, he
walked home, a distance of twenty-eight miles. At
that advanced age, he could rest one hand on his
cane and the other on a fence, and leap over as easi-
ly as a boy. He had long flowing black hair, which
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 253
fell in ringlets on his shoulders ; and when he died,
it was merely sprinkled with gray. When his pri-
vate accounts were examined after his decease, they
revealed the fact that he had secretly expended hun-
dreds of dollars in paying the debts of poor people,
or redeeming their furniture when it was attached.
But though many dear ones dropped away from
his side, as Friend Isaac moved onward in his pil-
grimage, many remained to sustain and cheer him.
Among his wife's brothers, his especial friend was
John Tatum, who lived in the vicinity of his native
village. This worthy man had great sympathy with
the colored people, and often sheltered the fugitives
whom his brother-in-law had rescued. He was re-
markable for his love of peace ; always preferring to
suffer wrong rather than dispute. The influence of
this pacific disposition upon others was strikingly il-
lustrated in the case of two of his neighbors. They
were respectable people, in easy circumstances, and
the families found much pleasure in frequent inter-
course with each other. But after a few years, one
of the men deemed that an intentional affront had
been offered him by the other. Instead of good-na-
tured frankness on the occasion, he behaved in a sul-
len manner, which provoked the other, and the result
was that eventually neither of them would speak
when they met. Their fields joined, and when they
were on friendly terms, the boundary was marked
254 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
by a fence, which they alternately repaired. But
when there was feud between them, neither of them
was willing to mend the other's fence. So each one
built a fence for himself, leaving a very narrow strip
of land between, which in process of time came to
be generally known by the name of Devil's Lane, in
allusion to the bad temper that produced it. A
brook formed another portion of the boundary be-
tween their farms, and was useful to both of them.
But after they became enemies, if a freshet occurred,
each watched an opportunity to turn the water on
the other's land, by which much damage was mutu-
ally done. They were so much occupied with injur-
ing each other in every possible way, that they neg-
lected their farms and grew poorer and poorer. One
of them became intemperate ; and everything about
their premises began to wear an aspect of desolation
and decay. At last, one of the farms was sold to
pay a mortgage, and John Tatum, who was then
about to be married, concluded to purchase it. Many
people warned him of the trouble he would have
with a quarrelsome and intemperate neighbor. But,
after mature reflection, he concluded to trust to the
influence of a peaceful and kind example, and ac-
cordingly purchased the farm.
Soon after he removed thither, he proposed to do
away the Devil's Lane by building a new fence on
the boundary, entirely at his own expense. His
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 255
neighbor acceded to the proposition in a very surly
manner, and for a considerable time seemed deter-
mined to find, or make some occasion for quarrel.
But the young Quaker met all his provocations with
forbearance, and never missed an opportunity to
oblige him. Good finally overcame evil. The tur-
bulent spirit, having nothing to excite it, gradually
subsided into calmness. In process of time, he
evinced a disposition to be kind and obliging also.
Habits of temperance, and industry returned, and
during the last years of his life he was considered a
remarkably good neighbor.
Friend Hopper's attachment to the religious socie-
ty he had joined in early life was quite as strong,
perhaps even stronger, than his love of kindred.
The Yearly Meeting of Friends at Philadelphia was
a season of great satisfaction, and he delighted to
have his house full of guests, even to overflowing.
On these occasions, he obeyed the impulses of his
generous nature by seeking out the least wealthy
and distinguished, who would be less likely than
others to receive many invitations. In addition to
these, who were often persona] strangers to him, he had
his own familiar and cherished friends. A day sel-
dom passed without a visit from Nicholas Wain, who
had great respect and affection for him and his wife,
and delighted in their society. He cordially approv-
ed of their consistency in carrying out their consci-
'256 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
entious convictions into the practices of daily life.
Some of Isaac's relatives and friends thought he de-
voted rather too much time and attention to philan-
thropic missions, but Nicholas Wain always stood by
him, a warm and faithful friend to the last. He was
a true gentleman, of courtly, pleasing manners, and
amusing conversation. Notwithstanding his weight
of character, he was so playful with the children,
that his visits were always hailed by them, as de-
lightful opportunities for fun and irolic. He looked
beneath the surface of society, and had learned to
estimate men and things according to their real value,
not by a conventional standard. His wife did not
regard the pomps and vanities of the world with pre-
cisely the same degree of indifference that he did.
She thought it would be suitable to their wealth and
station to have a footman behind her carriage. This
wish being frequently expressed, her husband at last
promised to comply with it. Accordingly, the next
time the carriage was ordered, for the purpose oi
making a stylish call, she was gratified to see a foot-
man mounted. When she arrived at her place of
destination, the door of her carriage was opened, and
the steps let down in a very obsequious manner, by
the new servant ; and great was her surprise and
confusion, to recognize in him her own husband !
Jacob Lindley, of Chester county, was another
frequent visitor at Friend Hopper's house ; and many
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 257
were the lively conversations they had together. He
was a preacher in the Society of Friends, and missed
no opportunity, either in public or private, to protest
earnestly against the sin of slavery. He often cau-
tioned Friends against laying too much stress on their
own peculiar forms, while they professed to abjure
forms. He said he himself had once received a les-
son on this subject, which did him much good. Once,
when he was seated in meeting, an influential Friend
walked in, dressed in a coat with large metal buttons,
which he had borrowed in consequence of a drench-
ing rain ! He seated himself opposite to Jacob
Lindley, who was so much disturbed by the glitter-
ing buttons, that "his meeting did him no good."
When the congregation rose to depart, he felt con-
strained to go up to the Friend who had so much
troubled him, and inquire why he had so grievously
departed from the simplicity enjoined upon members
of their Society. The good man looked down upon
his garments, and quietly replied, " I borrowed the
coat because my own was wet ; and indeed, Jacob,
I did not notice what buttons were on it." Jacob
shook his hand warmly, and said, "Thou art a bet-
ter Christian than I am, and I will learn of thee."
He often used to inculcate the same moral by re-
lating another incident, which happened in old times,
when Quakers were accustomed to wear cocked hats
turned up at the sides. A Friend bought a hat of
258 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
this description, without observing that it was looped
up with a button. As he sat in meeting with his hat
on, as usual, he observed many eyes directed toward
him, and some with a very sorrowful expression.
He could not conjecture a reason for this, till he
happened to take off his hat and lay it beside him.
As soon as he noticed the button, he rose and said,
''Friends, if religion consists in a button, I wouldn't
give a button for it." Having delivered this short
and pithy sermon, he seated himself, and resumed
the offending hat with the utmost composure.
Once, when Jacob Lindley was dining with Friend
Hopper, the conversation turned upon his religious
experiences, and he related a circumstance to which
he said he very seldom alluded, and never without
feelings of solemnity and awe. Being seized with
sudden and severe illness, his soul left the body for
several hours, during which time he saw visions of
heavenly glory, not to be described. When con-
sciousness began to return, he felt grieved that he
was obliged to come back to this state of being, and
he was never after able to feel the same interest in
terrestrial things, that he had felt before he obtained
this glimpse of the spiritual world.
Arthur Howell was another intimate acquaintance
of Friend Hopper. He was a currier in Philadel-
phia, a preacher in the Society of Friends, charac-
terized by kindly feelings, and a very tender con-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 259
science. Upon one occasion, he purchased from the
captain of a vessel a quantity of oil, which he after-
ward sold at an advanced price. Under these cir-
cumstances, he thought the captain had not received
so much as he ought to have ; and he gave him an
additional dollar on every barrel. This man was re-
maikable for spiritual-mindedness and the gift of
prophecy. It was no uncommon thing for him to
relate occurrences which were happening at the mo-
ment many miles distant, and to foretell the arrival
of people, or events, when there appeared to be no
external reasons on which to ground such expecta-
tions.
One Sunday morning, he was suddenly impelled
to proceed to Germantown in haste. As he ap-
proached the village, he met a funeral procession.
He had no knowledge whatever of the deceased ;
but it was suddenly revealed to him that the occu-
pant of the coffin before him was a woman whose
life had been saddened by the suspicion of a crime,
which she never committed. The impression be-
came very strong on his mind that she wished him
to make certain statements at her funeral. Accord-
ingly, he followed the procession, and when they
arrived at the meeting-house, he entered and listened
to the prayer delivered by her pastor. When the
customary services were finished, Arthur Howell
rose, and asked permission to speak. "I did not
260 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
know the deceased, even by name," said he. "But
it is given me to say, that she suffered much and
unjustly. Her neighbors generally suspected her
of a crime, which she did not commit ; and in a few
weeks from this time, it will be made clearly mani-
fest to the world that she was innocent. A few
hours before her death, she talked on this subject
with the clergyman who attended upon her, and
who is now present ; and it is given me to declare
the communication she made to him upon that oc-
casion."
He then proceeded to relate the particulars of the
interview ; to which the clergyman listened with
evident astonishment. When the communication
was finished, he said, "I don't know who this man
is, or how he has obtained information on this sub-
ject ; but certain it is, he has repeated, word for
word, a conversation which I supposed was known
only to myself and the deceased."
The woman in question had gone out in the fields
one day, with her infant in her arms, and she re-
turned without it. She said she had laid it down
on a heap of dry leaves, while she went to pick a
few flowers ; and when she returned, the baby was
gone. The fields and woods were searched in vain,
and neighbors began to whisper that she had com-
mitted infanticide. Then rumors arose that she was
dissatisfied with her marriage ; that her heart re-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 261
mained with a young man to whom she was pre-
viously engaged ; and that her brain was affected by
this secret unhappiness. She was never publicly ac-
cused ; partly because there was no evidence against
her, and partly because it was supposed that if she
did commit the crime, it must have been owing to
aberation of mind. But she became aware of the
whisperings against her, and the consciousness of
being an object of suspicion, combined with the
mysterious disappearance of her child, cast a heavy
cloud over her life, and made her appear more and
more unlike her former self. This she confided to
her clergyman, in the interview shortly preceding
her death ; and she likewise told him that the young
man, to whom she had been engaged, had never for-
given her for not marrying him.
A few weeks after her decease, this young man
confessed that he had stolen the babe. He had fol-
lowed the mother, unobserved by her, and had seen
her lay the sleeping infant on its bed of leaves. As
he gazed upon it, a mingled feeling of jealousy and
revenge took possession of his soul. In obedience
to a sudden impulse, he seized the babe, and carried
it off hastily. He subsequently conveyed it to a dis-
tant village, and placed it out to nurse, under an
assumed name and history. The child was found
alive and well, at the place he indicated. Thus the
mother's innocence was made clearly manifest to the
262 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
world, as the Quaker preacher had predicted at her
funeral.
I often heard Friend Hopper relate this anecdote,
and he always said that he could vouch for the
truth of it ; and for several other similar things in
connection with the ministry of his friend Arthur.
A singular case of inward perception likewise oc-
curred in the experience of his own mother. In her
Diary, which is still preserved in the family, she
describes a visit to some of her children in Phila-
delphia, and adds : " Soon after this, the Lord showed
me that I should lose a son. It was often told me,
though without sound of words. Nothing could be
more intelligible than this still, small voice. It
said, Thou wilt lose a son ; and he is a pleasant
child."
Her son James resided with relatives in Philadel-
phia, and often went to bathe in the Delaware. On
one of these occasions, soon after his mother's visit,
a friend who went with him sank in the water, and
James lost his own life by efforts to save him. A
messenger was sent to inform his parents, who lived
at the distance of eight miles. While he staid in
the house, reluctant to do his mournful errand, the
mother was siezed with sudden dread, and heard
the inward voice saying, "James is drowned." She
said abruptly to the messenger, "Thou hast come
to tell me that my son James is drowned. Oh, how
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 263
did it happen ? " He was much surprised, and asked
why she thought so. She could give no explanation
of it, except that it had been suddenly revealed to
her mind.
I have heard and read many such stories of Qua-
kers, which seem too well authenticated to admit of
doubt. They themselves refer all such cases to "the
inward light ; " and that phrase, as they understand
it, conveys a satisfactory explanation to their minds.
I leave psychologists to settle the question as they
can.
Those who are well acquainted with Quaker views,
are aware that by "the inward light," they signify
something higher and more comprehensive than con-
science. They regard it as the voice of God in the
soul, which will always guard man from evil, and
guide him into truth, if reverently listened to, in
stillness of the passions, and obedience of the will.
These strong impressions on individual minds con-
stitute their only call and consecration to the minis-
try, and have directed them in the application of
moral principles to a variety of subjects, such as in-
temperance, war, and slavery. Men and women
were impelled by the interior monitor to go about
preaching on these topics, until their individual views
became what are called "leading testimonies" in the
Society. The abjuration of slavery was one of their
earliest "testimonies." There was much preaching
264 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
against it in their public meetings, and many com-
mittees were appointed to expostulate in private with
those who held slaves. At an early period, it be-
came an established rule of discipline for the Society
to disown any member, who refused to manumit his
bondmen.
Friend Hopper used to tell an interesting anecdote
in connection with these committees. In the course
of their visits, they concluded to pass by one of
their members, who held only one slave, and he was
very old. He was too infirm to earn his own living,
and as he was very kindly treated, they supposed he
would have no wish for freedom. But Isaac Jack-
son, one of the committee, a very benevolent and
conscientious man, had a strong impression on his
mind that duty required him not to omit this case.
He accordingly went alone to the master, and stated
how the subject appeared to him, in the inward light
of his own soul. The Friend was not easily con-
vinced. He brought forward many reasons for not
emancipating his slave ; and one of the strongest
was that the man was too feeble to labor for his own
support, and therefore freedom would be of no value
to him. Isaac Jackson replied, "He labored for
thee without wages, while he had strength, and it is
thy duty to support him now. Whether he would
value freedom or not, is a question he alone is com-
petent to decide."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 265
These friendly remonstrances produced such effect,
that the master agreed to manumit his bondman,
and ffive a written obligation that he should be com-
(ortably supported during the remainder of his life,
by him or his heirs. When the papers were prepar-
ed the slave was called into the parlor, and Isaac
Jackson inquired, "Would'st thou like to be free?"
He promptly answered that he should. The Friend
suggested that he was now too feeble to labor much,
and inquired how he would manage to obtain a liv-
ing. The old man meekly replied, " Providence has
been kind to me thus far ; and I am willing to trust
him the rest of my life."
Isaac Jackson then held up the papers and said,
"Thou art a free man. Thy master has manumitted
thee, and promised to maintain thee as long as thou
may est live."
This was so unexpected, that the aged bondman
was completely overcome. For a few moments, he
remained in profound silence ; then, with a sudden
impulse, he fell on his knees, and poured forth a
short and fervent prayer of thanksgiving to his
Heavenly Father, for prolonging his life till he had
the happiness to feel himself a free man.
The master and his adviser were both surprised
and affected by this eloquent outburst of grateful
feeling. The poor old servant had seemed so com-
fortable and contented, that no one supposed freedom
12
266 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
was of great importance to him. But, as honest
Isaac Jackson observed, he alone was competent to
decide that question.
Quakers consider "the inward light" as a guide
not merely in cases involving moral principles, but
also in the regulation of external affairs ; and in the
annals of their Society, are some remarkable instan-
ces of dangers avoided by the help of this internal
monitor.
Friend Hopper used, to mention a case where a
strong impression had been made on his own mind,
without his being able to assign any adequate reason
for it. A young man, descended from a highly re-
spectable Quaker family in New-Jersey, went to
South Carolina and entered into business. He mar-
ried there, and as his wife did not belong to the So-
ciety of Friends, he was of course disowned. After
some years of commercial success, he failed, and
went to Philadelphia, where Friend Hopper became
acquainted with him, and formed an opinion not un-
favorable. When he had been in that city some
time, he mentioned that his wife owned land in Caro-
lina, which he was very desirous to cultivate, but
was prevented by conscientious scruples concerning
slave-labor. He said if he could induce some colored
people from Philadelphia to go there and work for
him as free laborers, it would be an advantage to
him, and a benefit to them. He urged Friend Hop-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 267
per to exert his influence over them to convince
them that such precautions could be taken, as would
prevent any danger of their being reduced to slave-
ry ; saying that if he would consent to do so, he
doubtless could obtain as many laborers as he want-
ed. The plan appeared feasible, and Friend Hopper
was inclined to assist him in carrying it into execu-
tion. Soon after, two colored men called upon him,
and said they were ready to go, provided he thought
well of the project. Nothing had occurred to change
his opinion of the man, or to excite distrust concern-
ing his agricultural scheme. But an impression came
upon his mind that the laborers had better not go ;
an impression so strong, that he thought it right to
be influenced by it. He accordingly told them' he
had thought well of the plan, but his views had
changed, and he advised them to remain where they
were. This greatly surprised the man who wished
to employ them, and he called to expostulate on the
subject ; repeating his statement concerning the
great advantage they would derive from entering in-
to his service.
"There is no use in arguing the matter," replied
Friend Hopper. "I have no cause whatever to sus-
pect thee of any dishonest or dishonorable inten-
tions ; but there is on my mind an impression of dan-
ger, so powerful that I cannot conscientiously have
268 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
any agency in inducing colored laborers to go with
thee."
Xot succeeding in his project, the bankrupt mer-
chant went to New-Jersey for a time, to reside with
his father, who was a worthy and influential member
of the Society of Friends. An innocent, good na-
tured old colored man, a fugitive from Virginia, had
for some time been employed to work on the farm,
and the family had become much attached to him.
The son who had returned from Carolina was very
friendly with this simple-hearted old servant, and
easily gained his confidence. When he had learned
his story, he offered to write to his master, and ena-
ble him to purchase his freedom for a sum which he
could gradually repay by labor. The fugitive was
exceedingly grateful, and put himself completely in
his power by a full statement of all particulars.
The false-hearted man did indeed write to the mas-
ter ; and the poor old slave was soon after arrested
and carried to Philadelphia in irons. Friend Hop-
per was sent for, and went to see him in prison.
With groans and sobs, the captive told how wickedly
he had been deceived. "I thought he was a Quaker,
and so I trusted him," said he. "But I saw my
master's agent pay him fifty dollars for betraying me."
Friend Hopper assured him that the deceiver was
not a Quaker ; and that he did not believe any Qua-
ker on the face of the earth would do such an unjust
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 269
r
and cruel deed. He could devise no means to rescue
the sufferer ; and with an aching heart he was com-
pelled to see him carried off into slavery, without
being able to offer any other solace than an affec-
tionate farewell.
The conduct of this base hypocrite proved that
the warning presentiment against him had not been
without foundation. Grieved and indignant at the
wrong he had done to a helpless and unoffending fel-
low-creature, Friend Hopper wrote to him as fol-
lows : "Yesterday, I visited the poor old man in
prison, whom thou hast so perfidiously betrayed.
Gloomy and hopeless as his case is, I would prefer it
to thine. Thou hast received fifty dollars as the re-
ward of thy treachery ; but what good can it do
thee ? Canst thou lay down thy head at night, with-
out feeling the sharp goadings of a guilty conscience ?
Canst thou ask forgiveness of thy sins of our Heav-
enly Father, whom thou hast so grievously insulted
by thy hypocrisy ? Judas betrayed his master for
thirty pieces of silver, and afterward hung himself.
Thou hast betrayed thy brother for fifty ; and if thy
conscience is not seared, as with hot iron, thy com-
punction must be great. I feel no disposition to up-
braid thee. I have no doubt thy own heart does that
sufficiently ; for our beneficent Creator will not suffer
any to be at ease in their sins. Thy friend, I. T. H."
The worthy old Quaker in New- Jersey was not
270 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
aware of his son's villainous conduct until some
time after. When the circumstances were made
known to the family they were exceedingly morti-
fied and afflicted.
Friend Hopper used to tell another story, which
forms a beautiful contrast to the foregoing painful
narrative. I repeat it, because it illustrates the ten-
derness of spirit, which has so peculiarly character-
ized the Society of Friends, and because I hope it
may fall like dew on hearts parched by vindictive
feelings. Charles Carey lived near Philadelphia, in
a comfortable house with a few acres of pasture ad-
joining. A young horse, apparently healthy, though
lean, w T as one day offered him in the market for fifty
dollars. The cheapness tempted him to purchase ;
for he thought the clover of his pastures would soon
put the animal in good condition, and enable him to
sell him at an advanced price. He was too poor to
command the required sum himself, but he borrowed
it of a friend. The horse, being well fed and lightly
worked, soon became a noble looking animal r and
was taken to the city for sale. But scarcely had he
entered the market, when a stranger stepped up and
claimed him as his property, recently stolen. Charles
Carey's son, who had charge of the animal, was
taken before a magistrate. Isaac T. Hopper was
sent for, and easily proved that the character of the
young man and his father was above all suspicion.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 271
But the stranger produced satisfactory evidence that
he was the rightful owner of the horse, which was
accordingly delivered up to him. When Charles
Carey heard the unwelcome news, he quietly re-
marked, " It is hard for me to lose the money ; but
I am glad the man has recovered his property."
About a year afterward, having occasion to go to
a tavern in Philadelphia, he saw a man in the bar-
room, whom he at once recognized as the person
who had sold him the horse. He walked up to him,
and inquired whether he remembered the transac-
tion. Being answered in the affirmative, he said,
"I am the man who bought that horse. Didst thou
know he was stolen ?" With a stupified manner and
a faltering voice, the stranger answered, "Yes."
" Come along w 7 ith me, then," said Charles ; "and
I will put thee where thou wilt not steal another
horse very soon."
The thief resigned himself to his fate with a sort
of hopeless indifference. But before they reached
the magistrate's office, the voice within began to
plead gently with the Quaker, and turned him from
the sternness of his purpose. "I am a poor man,"
said he, "and thou hast greatly injured me. I can-
not afford to lose fifty dollars ; but to prosecute thee
will not compensate me for the loss. Go thy way,
and conduct thyself honestly in future."
The man seemed amazed. He stood for a mo-
2l2 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ment, hesitating and confused ; then walked slowly
away. But after taking a few steps, he turned back
and said, "Where can I find you, if I should ever
be able to make restitution for the wrong T have
done f"
Charles replied, "I trust thou dost not intend to
jest with me, after all the trouble thou hast caused
me?"
"No, indeed I do not," answered the stranger.
"I hope to repay you, some time or other."
"Very well," rejoined the Friend, "if thou ever
hast anything for me, thou canst leave it with Isaac
T. Hopper, at the corner of Walnut and Dock-
streets." Thus they parted, and never met again.
About a year after, Friend .Hopper found a letter
on his desk, addressed to Charles Carey. When it
was delivered to him, he was surprised to find that it
came from the man who had stolen the horse, and
contained twenty dollars. A few months later, an-
other letter containing the same sum, was left in the
same way. Not long after, a third letter arrived,
enclosing twenty dollars ; the whole forming a sum
sufficient to repay both principal and interest of the
money which the kind-hearted Quaker had lost by
his dishonesty.
This last letter stated that the writer had no
thoughts of stealing the horse ten minutes before he
did it. After he had sold him, he was so haunted by
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 273
remorse and fear of detection, that life became a
burthen to him, and he cared not what became of
him. But when he was arrested, and so unexpect-
edly set at liberty, the crushing weight was taken
from him. He felt inspired by fresh courage, and
sustained by the hope of making some atonement for
what he had done. He made strenuous efforts to
improve his condition, and succeeded. He was then
teaching school, was assessor of the township where
he resided, and no one suspected that he had ever
committed a dishonest action.
The good man, to whom this epistle was address-
ed, read it with moistened eyes, and felt that the re-
ward of righteousness is peace.
For many years after Isaac T. Hopper joined the
Society of Friends, a spirit of peace and of kindly
communion prevailed among them. No sect has
ever arisen which so nearly approached the charac-
ter of primitive Christianity, in all relations with
each other and with their fellow men. But as soon
as the early christians were relieved from persecu-
tion, they began to persecute each other ; and so it
was with the Quakers. Having become established
and respected by the world, the humble and self-de-
nying spirit which at the outset renounced and con-
tended with the world gradually departed. Many
of them were rich, and not unfrequently their for-
tunes were acquired by trading with slave-holders.
12*
274 LIFE OF- ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Such men were well satisfied to have the testimonies
of their spiritual forefathers against slavery read
over among themselves, at stated seasons ; but they
felt little sympathy with those of their cotemporanes,
who considered it a duty to remonstrate publicly and
freely with all who were connected with the iniqui-
tous system.
A strong and earnest preacher, by the name of
Elias Hicks, made himself more offensive than others
in this respect. He appears to have been a very
just and conscientious man, with great reverence for
God, and exceedingly little for human authority.
Everywhere, in public and in private, he lifted up his
voice against the sin of slavery. He would eat no
sugar that was made by slaves, and wear no gar-
ment which he supposed to have been produced by
unpaid labor. In a remarkable manner, he showed
this "ruling passion strong in death." A few hours
before he departed from this world, his friends, see-
ing him shiver, placed a comfortable over him. He
felt of it with his feeble hands, and made a strong
effort to push it away. When they again drew it up
over his shoulders, he manifested the same symp-
toms of abhorrence. One of them, who began to
conjecture the cause, inquired, "Dost thou dislike
it because it is made of cotton ?" He was too far
gone to speak, but he moved his head in token of as-
sent. When they removed the article of slave pro-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 275
duce, and substituted a woolen blanket, he remained
quiet, and passed away in peace.
He was accustomed to say, "It takes live fish to
swim up stream ;" and unquestionably he and his
friend Isaac T. Hopper were both very much alive.
The quiet boldness of this man was altogether unman-
ageable. In Virginia or Carolina, he preached more
earnestly and directly against slavery, than he did in
New-York or Pennsylvania , for the simple reason
that it seemed to be more needed there. Upon one
of these occasions, a slaveholder who went to hear
him from curiosity, left the meeting in great wrath,
swearing he would blow out that fellow's brains if he
ventured near his plantation. When the preacher
heard of this threat, he put on his hat and proceeded
straightway to the forbidden place. In answer to his
inquiries, a slave informed him that his master was
then at dinner, but would see him in a short time.
He seated himself and waited patiently until the
planter entered the room. With a calm and digni-
fied manner, he thus addressed him : "I understand
thou hast threatened to blow out the brains of Elias
Hicks, if he comes upon thy plantation. I am Elias
Hicks."
The Virginian acknowledged that he did make
such a threat, and said he considered it perfectly jus-
tifiable to do such a deed, when a man came to
preach rebellion to his slaves*
276 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
" I came to preach the Gospel, which inculcates
forgiveness of injuries upon slaves as well as upon
other men," replied the Quaker. " But tell me, if
thou canst, how this Gospel can be truly preached,
without showing the slaves that they are injured,
and thus making a man of thy sentiments feel as if
they were encouraged in rebellion."
This led to a long argument, maintained in the
most friendly spirit. At parting, the slaveholder
shook hands with the preacher, and invited him to
come again. His visits were renewed, and six
months after, the Virginian emancipated all his slaves.
When preaching in the free states, he earnestly
called upon all to abstain from slave-produce, and
thus in a measure wash their own hands from parti-
cipation in a system of abominable wickedness and
cruelty. His zeal on this subject annoyed some of
his brethren, but they could not make him amena
ble to discipline for it ; for these views were in ac-
cordance with the earliest and strongest testimonies
of the Society of Friends ; moreover, it would have
been discreditable to acknowledge such a ground of
offence. But the secret dissatisfaction showed itself
in a disposition to find fault with him. Charges
were brought against his doctrines. He was accused
of denying the authority of Scripture, and the di-
vinity of Christ.
Tt was a departure from the original basis of the
m
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 277
Society to assume any standard whatsoever con-
cerning creeds. It is true that the early Quakers
wrote volumes of controversy against many of the
prevailing opinions of their day ; such as the doctrine
of predestination, and of salvation depending upon
faith, rather than upon works. All the customary
external observances, such as holy days, baptism,
and the Lord's Supper, they considered as belonging
to a less spiritual age, and that the time had come
for them to be done away. Concerning the Trinity,
there appears to have been difference of opinion
among them from the earliest time. When George
Fox expressed a fear that William Penn had gone
too far in defending "the true unity of God," Penn
replied that he had never heard any one speak more
plainly concerning the manhood of Christ, than
George Fox himself. Penn was imprisoned in the
Tower for "rejecting the mystery of the Trinity," in
a book called "The Sandy Foundation Shaken."
He afterward wrote "Innocency with her Open
Face," regarded by some as a compromise, which
procured his release. But though various popular
doctrines naturally came in their way, and chal-
lenged discussion, while they were endeavoring to
introduce a new order of things, the characteristic
feature of their movement was attention to practical
righteousness rather than theological tenets. They
did not require their members to profess faith in any
278 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
creed. They had but one single bond of union ;
and that was the belief that every man ought to be
guided in his actions, and in the interpretation of
Scripture, by the light within his own soul. Their
history shows that they mainly used this light to
guide them in the application of moral principles.
Upon the priesthood, in every form, they made un-
sparing warfare ; believing that the gifts of the Spirit
ought never to be paid with money. They appointed
committees to visit the sick, the afflicted, and the
destitute, and to superintend marriages and funerals.
The farmer, the shoemaker, the physician, or the
merchant, followed his vocation diligently, and when-
ever the Spirit moved him to exhort his brethren, he
did so. The "First, and Fifth Day" of the week,
called by other denominations Sunday and Thurs-
day, were set apart by them for religious meetings.
Women were placed on an equality with men, by
being admitted to this free Gospel ministry, and ap-
pointed on committees with men, to regulate the
affairs of the Society. They abjured war under all
circumstances, and suffered great persecution rather
than pay military taxes.' They early discouraged
the distillation or use of spirituous liquors, and dis-
owned any of their members who distilled them from
grain. Protests against slavery were among their
most earnest testimonies, and it was early made a
rule of discipline that no member of the Society
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOFPER. 279
should hold slaves. When the Quakers first arose,
it was a custom in England, as it still is on the con-
tinent of Europe, to say thou to an inferior, or equal,
and you to a superior. They saw in this custom an
infringement of the great law of human brotherhood ;
and because they would "call no man master," they
said thou to every person, without distinction of
rank. To the conservatives of their day, this spirit-
ual democracy seemed like deliberate contempt of
authority ; and as such, deserving of severe punish-
ment. More strenuously than all other things, they
denied the right of any set of men to prescribe a
creed for others. The only authority they recog-
nized was "the light within ;" and for freedom to
follow this, they were always ready to suffer or to
die.
On all these subjects, there could be no doubt
that Elias Hicks was a Quaker of the old genuine
stamp. But he differed from many others in some
of his theological views. He considered Christ as
"the only Son of the most high God;" but he de-
nied that "the outward person" which suffered on
Calvary w r as properly the Son of God. He attached
less importance to miracles, than did many of his
brethren. He said he had learned more of his own
soul, and had clearer revelations of God and duty,
while following his plough, than from all the books
he had ever read. He reverenced the Bible as a
280 LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER.
record of divine power and goodness, but did not
consider a knowledge of it essential to salvation ;
for he supposed that a Hindoo or an African, who
never heard of the Scriptures, or of Christ, might
become truly a child of God, if he humbly and sin-
cerely followed the divine light within, given to
every human soul, according to the measure of its
faithfulness.
Many of his brethren, whose views assimilated
more with orthodox opinions, accused him of having
departed from the principles of early Friends. But
his predecessors had been guided only by the light
within ; and he followed the same guide, without de-
ciding beforehand precisely how far it might lead
.him. This principle, if sincerely adopted and con-
sistently applied, would obviously lead to large and
liberal results, sufficient for the progressive growth
of all coming ages. It was so generally admitted to
be the one definite bond of union among early
Friends, that the right of Elias Hicks to utter his
own convictions, whether they w T ere in accordance
with others or not, would probably never have been
questioned, if some influential members of the Socie-
ty had not assumed more power than was delegated
to them ; thereby constituting themselves a kind of
ecclesiastical tribunal. It is the nature of such au-
thority to seek enlargement of its boundaries, by en-
croaching more and more on individual freedom.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 281
The friends of Elias Hicks did not adopt his views
or the views of any other man as a standard of opin-
ion. On the subject of the Trinity, for instance,
there were various shadings of opinion among them.
The probability seems to be that the influence of
Unitarian sects, and of Orthodox sects had, in the
course of years, gradually glided in among the Qua-
kers, and more or less fashioned their theological
opinions, though themselves were unconscious of it ;
as we all are of the surrounding air we are constant-
ly inhaling.
But it was not the Unitarianism of Elias Hicks
that his adherents fought for, or considered it neces-
sary to adopt. They simply contended for his right
to express his own convictions, and denied the autho-
rity of any man, or body of men, to judge his preach-
ing by the assumed standard of any creed. There-
fore, the real ground of the struggle seems to have
been resistance to ecclesiastical power ; though theo-
logical opinions unavoidably became intertwisted
with it. It was a new form of the old battle, per-
petually renewed ever since the world began, be-
tween authority and individual freedom.
The agitation, which had for some time been
heaving under the surface, is said to have been
brought into open manifestation by a sermon which
Elias Hicks preached against the use of slave pro-
duce, in 1819. A bitter warfare followed. Those
282 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
who refused to denounce his opinions were accused
of being infidels and separatists ; and they called
their accusers bigoted and intolerant. With regard*
to disputed doctrines, both claimed to find sufficient
authority in the writings of early Friends ; and each
side charged the other with mutilating and misrepre-
senting those writings. As usual in theological con-
troversies, the skein became more and more entan-
gled, till there was no way left but to cut it in two.
In 1827 and 1828, a separation took place in the
Yearly Meetings of Philadelphia, New-York, and
several other places. Thenceforth, the members
were divided into two distinct sects. In some places
the friends of Elias Hicks were far the more nu-
merous. In others, his opponents had a majority.
Each party claimed to be the genuine Society of
•Friends, and denied the other's right to retain the
title. The opponents of Elias Hicks called them-
selves "Orthodox Friends," and named his adherents
"Hicksites." The latter repudiated the title, be-
cause they did not acknowledge him as their stan-
dard of belief, though they loved and reverenced his
character, and stood by him as the representative
of liberty of conscience. They called themselves
•'Friends," and the others "the Orthodox."
The question which was the genuine Society of
Friends was more important than it would seem to a
mere looker on ; for large pecuniary interests were
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 283
involved therein. It is well known that Quakers
form a sort of commonwealth by themselves, within
the civil commonwealth by which they are governed.
They pay the public school-tax, and in addition build
their own school-houses, and employ teachers of
their own Society. They support their own poor,
while they pay the same pauper tax as other citi-
zens. They have burying grounds apart from others,
because they have conscientious scruples concerning
monuments and epitaphs. Of course, the question
which of the two contending parties was the true
Society of Friends involved the question who owned
the meeting-houses, the burying grounds, and the
school funds. The friends of Elias Hicks offered to
divide the property, according to the relative num-
bers of each party ; but those called Orthodox refused
to accept the proposition. Lawsuits were brought
in various parts of the country. What a bitter state
of animosity existed may be conjectured from the
fact that the " Orthodox" in Philadelphia refused to
allow "Hicksites" to bury their dead in the ground,
belonging to the undivided Society of Friends. On
the occasion of funerals, they refused to deliver up
the key ; and after their opponents had remonstrated
in vain, they forced the lock.
I believe in almost every instance, where the
"Hicksites" were a majority, and thus had a claim
to the larger share of property, they offered to di-
284 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
vide in proportion to the relative numbers of the two
parties. After the separation in New- York, they re-
newed this offer, which had once been rejected ; and
the " Orthodox" finally agreed to accept a stipulated
sum for their interest in the property. The Friends
called "Hicksites" numbered in the whole more than
seventy thousand.
Quakers in England generally took part against
Elias Hicks and his friends. Some, who were styled
"The Evangelical Party," went much beyond their
brethren in conformity with the prevailing denomi-
nations of Christians called Orthodox. Many of
them considered a knowledge of the letter of Scrip-
ture essential to salvation ; and some even approved
of baptism by water ; a singular departure from the
total abrogation of external rites, which characterized
Quakerism from the beginning. William and Mary
Howitt, the well known and highly popular English
writers, were born members of this religious Society.
In an article concerning the Hicksite controversy,
written for the London Christian Advocate, the for-
mer says: "My opinion is, that Friends will see
cause to repent the excision of thatgreat portion of
their own body, on the plea of heretical opinions.
By sanctioning it, they are bound, if they act im-
partially and consistently, to expel others also for
heterodox opinions. This comes of violating the sa-
cred liberty of conscience ; of allowing ourselves to
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 285
be infected with the leaven of a blind zeal, instead
of the broad philanthropy of Christ. Is tfiere no
belter alternative ? Yes. To adopt the principle of
William Penn ; to allow freedom of opinion ; and
while we permit the Evangelical party to hold their
favorite notions, so long as they consent to conform
to our system of public worship, to confess that we
have acted harshly to the Hicksites, and open our
arms to all who are sincere in their faith, and orderly
m their conduct."
As the adherents of Elias Hicks at that time
represented freedom of conscience, of course Isaac
T. Hopper belonged to that party, and advocated it
with characteristic zeal. In fact, he seems to have
been the Napoleon of the battle. It was not in his
nature intentionally to misrepresent any man ; and
even when the controversy was raging most furious-
ly, I believe there never was a time when he would
not willingly have acknowledged a mistake the mo-
ment he perceived it. But his temperament was
such, that wherever he deemed a principle of truth,
justice, or freedom was at stake, he could never quit
an adversary till he had demolished him completely,
and convinced him that he was demolished ; though
he often felt great personal kindness toward the indi-
vidual thus prostrated, and was always willing to
render him any friendly service. He used to say
that his resistance in this controversy was principally
28(3 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
roused by the disposition which he saw manifested
"to crush worthy, innocent Friends, for mere differ-
ence of opinion ;" and no one, who knew him well,
could doubt that on this subject, as on others, he was
impelled by a sincere love of truth and justice. But
neither he nor any other person ever entered the
lists of theological controversy without paying dearly
for the encounter. Perpetual strife grieved and dis-
turbed his own spirit, while his energy, perseverance,
and bluntness of speech, gained him many enemies.
Wherever this unfortunate sectarian schism was in-
troduced, it divided families, and burst asunder the
bonds of friendship. For a long time, they seemed
to be a Society of Enemies, instead of a Society of
Friends. In this respect, no one suffered more acute-
ly than Isaac T. Hopper. It was his nature to form
very strong friendships ; and at this painful junc-
ture, many whom he had long loved and trusted,
parted from him. Among them was his cousin Jo-
seph Whit all, who had embraced Quakerism at the
same period of life, who had been the friend of his
boyhood, and the cherished companion of later years.
They had no personal altercation, but their intimacy
gradually cooled off, and they became as strangers.
He had encountered other difficulties also, at a
former period of his life, the shadows of which still
lay across his path. About twelve or fifteen years
after his marriage, his health began to fail. His
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 287
vigorous frame pined away to a mere shadow, and
he was supposed to be in a consumption. At the
same time, he found himself involved in pecuniary
difficulties, the burden of which weighed very heavi-
ly upon him, for many reasons. His strong sense of
justice made it painful for him to owe debts he could
not pay. He had an exceeding love of imparting to
others, and these pecuniary impediments tied down
his large soul with a thousand Lilliputian cords. He
had an honest pride of independence, which chafed
under any obligation that could be avoided. His
strong attachment to the Society of Friends rendered
him sensitive to their opinion ; and at that period
their rules were exceedingly strict concerning any of
their members, who contracted debts they were una-
ble to pay. People are always ready to censure a
man who is unprosperous in worldly affairs ; and if
his character is such as to render him prominent, he
is all the more likely to be handled harshly. Of
these trials Friend Hopper had a large share, and
they disturbed him exceedingly; but the conscious-
ness of upright intentions kept him from sinking un-
der the weight that pressed upon him.
He was always a very industrious man, and what-
ever he did was well done. But the fact was, the
claims upon his time and attention were too numer-
ous to be met by any one mortal man. He had a
large family to support, and during many years his
288 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
house was a home for poor Quakers, and others,
from far and near. He had much husiness to trans-
act in the Society of Friends, of which he was then
an influential and highly respected member. He
was one of the founders and secretary of a society
for the employment of the poor ; overseer of the
Benezet school for colored children ; teacher, with-
out recompense, in a free school for colored adults ;
inspector of the prison, without a salary ; member
of a fire-company ; guardian of abused apprentices ;
the lawyer and protector of slaves and colored peo-
ple, upon all occasions. When pestilence was rag-
ing, he was devoted to the sick. The poor were
continually calling upon him to plead with importu-
nate landlords and creditors. He was not unfre-
quenlly employed to settle estates involved in diffi-
culties, which others were afraid to undertake. He
had occasional applications to exert influence over
the insane, for which he had peculiar tact. When
he heard of a man beginning to form habits likely to
prove injurious to himself or his family, he would go
to him, whether his rank were high or low, and have
private conversations with him. He would tell him
some story, or suppose some case', and finally make
him feel, "Thou art the man." He had a great gift
in that way, and the exertion of it sometimes sea-
sonably recalled those who were sliding into danger-
ous paths.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 289
When one reflects upon the time that must have
been bestowed on all these avocations, do his pecu-
niary embarrassments require any further explana-
tion ? A member of his own Society summed up
the case very justly in few words. Hearing him
censured by certain individuals, she replied, "The
whole amount of it is this : — the Bible requires us
to love our neighbor as well as ourselves ; and Friend
Isaac has loved them better."
These straitened circumstances continued during
the remainder of his residence in Philadelphia ; and
his family stood by him nobly through the trial.
Household expenses were reduced within the small-
est possible limits. His wife opened a tea-store, as
an available means of increasing their income. The
simple dignity of her manners, and her pleasing way
of talking, attracted many ladies, even among the
fashionable, who liked to chat with the handsome
Quaker matron, while they were purchasing house-
hold stores. The elder daughters taught school, and
took upon themselves double duty in the charge of a
large family of younger children. How much they
loved and honored their father, was indicated by their
zealous efforts to assist and sustain him. I have
heard him tell, with much emotion, how one of them
slipped some of her earnings into his pocket, while
he slept in his arm-chair. She was anxious to save
him from the pain of being unable to meet necessary
13
290 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
expenses, and at the same time to keep him ignorant
of the source whence relief came.
His spirit of independence never bent under the
pressure of misfortune. He was willing to deprive
himself of everything, except the simplest necessaries
of life ; but he struggled manfully against incurring
obligations. There was a Quaker fund for the gra-
tuitous education of children ; but when he was
urged to avail himself of it, he declined, because
he thought such funds ought to be reserved for
those whose necessities were greater than his own.
The government added its exactions to other pe-
cuniary annoyances ; but it had no power to warp
the inflexibility of his principles. He had always
refused to pay the militia tax, because, in common
with all conscientious Quakers, he considered it
wrong to do anything for the support of war. It
seems no more than just that a sect, who pay a
double school-tax, and a double pauper-tax, and who
almost never occasion the state any expense by their
crimes, should be excused for believing themselves
bound to obey the injunction of Jesus, to return good
for evil ; but politicians have decided that practical
Christianity is not always consistent with the duty
of citizens. Accordingly, when Friend Hopper re-
fused to pay for guns and swords, to shoot and stab
his fellow men, they seized his goods to pay the tax.
The articles chosen were often of much greater value
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 291
than their demand, and were sacrificed by a hurried
and careless sale. His wife had received a handsome
outfit from her father, at the time of her marriage ;
but she was destined to see one article of furniture
after another seized to pay the military fines, which
were alike abhorrent to her heart and her conscience.
Among these articles, was a looking glass, of an
unusually large and clear plate, which was valuable
as property, and dear to her as a bridal gift from her
parents. She could not see it carried off by the
officer, to meet the expenses of military reviews,
without a sigh — perhaps a tear. But she was not
a woman ever to imply a wish to have her husband
compromise his principles.
Thus bearing up bravely against the pelting storms
of life, he went on, hand in hand with his beloved
Sarah. But at last, he was called to part with the
steady friend and pleasant companion of his brightest
and his darkest hours. She passed from him into
the spiritual world on the eighteenth of the Sixth
Month, (June,) 1822, in the forty-seventh year of her
age. She suffered much from the wasting pains of
severe dyspepsia ; but religious hope and faith ena-
bled her to endure all her trials with resignation, and
to view the approach of death with cheerful serenity
of soul. Toward the close of her life, the freshness
of her complexion was injured by continual suffer-
ing ; but though pale, she remained a handsome
292 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
woman to the last. During her long illness, she re-
ceived innumerable marks of respect and affection
from friends and neighbors ; for she was beloved by-
all who knew her. A short time before her death,
she offered the following prayer for the dear ones she
was so soon to leave; "O Lord, permit me to ask
thy blessing for this family. Thy favor is better
than all the world can give. For want of keeping
close to thy counsel, my soul has often been pierced
with sorrow. Pity my weakness. Look thou from
heaven, and forgive. Enable me, I beseech thee, to
renew my covenant, and so to live under the in-
fluence of thy Holy Spirit, as to keep it. Preserve
me in the hour of temptation. Thou alone knowest
how prone I am to err on the right side and on the
left. Bless the children ! O Lord, visit and re-visit
their tender minds. Lead them in the paths of up-
rightness, for thy name's sake. I ask not riches nor
honor for them ; but an inheritance in thy ever-
blessed truth." She left nine children, the youngest
but six years old, to mourn the loss of a most tender
careful and self-sacrificing mother.
While her bereaved husband was still under the
shadow of this great grief, he was called to part with
his son Isaac, who in little more than a year, fol-
lowed his mother, at the early age of fifteen. J le I
was a sedate gentle lad, and had always been a very
pleasant child to his parents. His father cherished
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 293
his memory with great tenderness, and seldom spoke
of him without expressing his conviction that if he
had lived he would have become a highly acceptable
minister in the Society of Friends ; a destiny which
would have been more agreeable to his parental
feelings, than having a son President of the United
States.
Soon after this melancholy event, Friend Hopper
went to Maryland, to visit two sisters who resided
there. He was accompanied in this journey by his
wife's brother, David Tatum. At an inn where they
stopped for refreshment, the following characteristic
incident occurred : A colored girl brought in a pitcher
of water. "Art thou a slave?" said Friend Hopper.
When she answered in the affirmative, he started up
and exclaimed, "It is against my principles to be
waited upon by a slave." His more timid brother-
in-law inquired, in a low tone of voice, whether he
were aware that the mistress was within hearing.
"To be sure I am," answered Isaac aloud. "What
would be the use of saying it, if she were not within
hearing ?" He then emptied the pitcher of water, and
went out to the well to re-fill it for himself. Seeing
the landlady stare at these proceedings, he explained
to her that he* thought it wrong to avail himself of
unpaid labor. In reply, she complained of the in-
gratitude of slaves, and the hard condition of their
masters. "It is very inconvenient to live so near a
294 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
free state," said she. "I bad sixteen slaves; but
ten of them have run away, and I expect the rest
will soon go."
"I hope they will," said Isaac. "I am sure I
would run away, if I were a slave."
At first, she was disposed to be offended ; but he
reasoned the matter with her, in a quiet and friendly
manner, and they parted on very civil terms. David
Tatum often used to tell this anecdote, after they
returned home; and he generally added, "I never
again w T ill travel in a Southern state with brother
Isaac ; for I am sure it would be at the risk of my
life."
Time soothes all afflictions ; and those who have
dearly loved their first companion are sometimes
more likely than others to form a second connexion ;
for the simple reason that they cannot learn to do
without the happiness to which they have been ac-
customed. There was an intimate friend of the fami-
ly, a member of the same religious Society, named
Hannah Attmore. She was a gentle and quiet per-
son, of an innocent and very pleasing countenance.
Her father, a worthy and tender spirited man, had
been an intimate friend of Isaac T. Hopper, and al-
ways sympathized with his efforts for the oppressed.
A strong attachment had likewise existed between
her and Friend Hopper's wife ; and during her fre-
quent visits to the house, it was her pleasure to vol-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 295
unteer assistance in the numerous household cares.
The fact that his Sarah had great esteem for her, was
doubtless a strong attraction to the widower. His
suit was favorably received, and they were married
on the fourth of the second month, (February) 1824.
She was considerably younger than her bridegroom ;
but vigorous health and elastic spirits had preserved
his youthful appearance, while her sober dress and
grave deportment, made her seem older than she
really was. She became the mother of four children,
two of whom died in early childhood. Little Tho-
mas, who ended his brief career in three years and a
half, was always remembered by his parents, and
other members of the family, as a remarkably bright,
precocious child, beautiful as an infant angel.
It has been already staled that the schism in the
Society of Friends introduced much controversy con-
cerning the theological opinions of its founders.
There was consequently an increased demand for
their writings, and the branch called "Hicksites"
felt the need of a bookstore. Friend Hopper's busi-
ness had never been congenial to his character,
and of late years it had become less profitable.
A large number of his wealthiest customers were
u Orthodox ;" and when he took part with Elias
Hicks, they ceased to patronize him. He was per*
fectly aware that such would be the result ; but
whenever it was necessary to choose between his
296 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
principles and prosperity, he invariably followed what
he believed to be the truth. He was considered a
suitable person to superintend the proposed book-
store, and as the state of his financial affairs render-
ed a change desirable, he concluded to accede to the
proposition of his friends. For that purpose, he re-
moved to the city of New-York in 1829.
In the autumn of the'following year, some disput-
ed claims, which his wife had on the estate of her
maternal grandfather in Ireland, made it necessary
for him to visit that country. Experience had pain-
fully convinced him that theological controversy
sometimes leads to personal animosity ; and that few
people were so open and direct in their mode of ex-
pressing hostility, as he himself was. Therefore,
before going abroad, he t^bk the precaution to ask
letters from citizens of various classes and sects in
Philadelphia ; and he found no difficulty in obtaining
them from the most respectable and distinguished.
Matthew Carey, the well known philanthropist
wrote as follows: "As you are about to visit my
native country, and have applied to me for a testi-
monial concerning your character, I cheerfully com-
ply with your request. I have been well acquainted
with you for about thirty-five years, and I can testify
that, during the whole of that time, you have been a
perfect pest to our Southern neighbors. A Southern
gentleman could scarcely visit this city, without
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 297
having his slave taken from him by your instrumen-
tality ; so that they dread you, as they do the devil."
After enjoying a mutual laugh over this epistle, an-
other was written for the public, certifying that he
had known Isaac T. Hopper for many years as "a
useful and respectable citizen of the fairest charac-
ter."
When Friend Hopper arrived in Ireland, he found
many of the Quakers prejudiced against him, and
many untrue stories in circulation, as he had expect-
ed. Sometimes, when he visited public places, he
would overhear people saying to each other, in a low
voice, "That's Isaac T. Hopper, who has given
Friends so much trouble in America." A private
letter from an " Orthodox" Quaker in Philadelphia
was copied and circulated in all directions, greatly to
his disadvantage. It represented him as a man of
sanctified appearance, but wholly unworthy of cre-
dit ; that business of a pecuniary nature was a mere
pretence to cover artful designs ; his real object be-i
ing to spread heretical doctrines in Ireland, and thus
sow dissension among Friends. In his journal of
this visit to a foreign land, Friend Hopper says : "It
is astonishing what strange ideas some of them have
concerning me. They have been informed that I
can find stolen goods, and am often applied to on
such occasions. I think it would be no hard matter
to make them believe me a wizard." This was pro-
13*
298 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
bably a serious version of his pleasantry with the
Dutchman about finding his goods by calculating the
age of the moon.
Many of the Irish Friends had formed from hear-
say the most extravagant misconceptions concerning
the Friends called "Hicksites." They supposed
them to be outright infidels, and that the grossest
immoralities were tolerated among them ; that they
pointed loaded pistols at the "Orthodox" brethren,
and drove them out of their own meeting-houses by
main force. One of them expressed great surprise
when Friend Hopper informed him that they were in
the constant habit of reading the Scriptures in their
families, and maintained among themselves the same
discipline that had always been used in the Society.
Sometimes when he attended Quaker meetings du-
ring the early portion of his visit, the ministers
preached at him, by cautioning young people to be-
ware of the adversary, who was now going about
like a cunning serpent, in which form he was far
more dangerous, than when he assumed the appear-
ance of a roaring lion. But after a while, this ten-
dency was rebuked by other preachers, who inculcat-
ed forbearance in judging others ; reminding their
hearers that the spirit of the Gospel always breathed
peace and good will toward men. As for Isaac him-
self, he behaved with characteristic openness. When
a stranger, in Quaker costume, introduced himself,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 299
and invited him to go home and dine with him, he
replied, " I am represented by some people as a very
bad man ; and I do not wish to impose myself upon
the hospitality of strangers, without letting them
know who I am."
The stranger assured him that he knew very well
who he was, and cared not a straw what opinions
they accused him of; that he was going to have a
company of Friends at dinner, who wished to con-
verse with him. He went accordingly, and was re-
ceived with true Irish hospitality and kindness.
Upon another occasion, a Quaker lady, who did
not know he was a"Hicksite," observed to him, "I
suppose the Society of Friends are very much thin-
ned in America, since so many have gone off from
them." He replied, "It is always best to be can-
did. I belong to the party called Hicksites, deists,
and schismatics ; and I suppose they are the ones to
whom thou hast alluded as having gone off from the
Society. I should like to talk with thee concerning
the separation in America ; for we have been greatly
misrepresented. But I came to this country solely
on business, and I have no wish to say or do any-
thing that can unsettle the mind, or wound the feel-
ings of any Friend. She seemed very much surpris-
ed, and for a minute or two covered her face with
her hands. But when the company broke up, some
hours after, she followed him into the entry, and cor-
910 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
dially invited him t her. " What ! canst thou
»f ah Umed.
d with a a one as thou
ar
In fact, wherever he had a chance to make him-
self known, prejudices melted away under the influ-
;ank and kindly manner- S me people
of oth- -11 of his own, took an interest in
him for the very reasons that caused di? ind
ike in other- because they had heard of
him as the champion of perfect liberty of cons
who c edit unnece? bind men by any
ed whatsoever. Among these, he mentions in his
journal, Professor Stokes of Dublin, who relinqu:
ed a salary of two thousand eight hundred pounds a
r, because he could not conscientioi :be
to the doctrine of the Trinity. It was proposed to
dismiss him from the coiles - ner ; but he de-
manded a hearing before the tru-
jivilege could not be denied, without infn
ing the laws of the institution ; and deeming that
such a dis d might prove injurious, they con-
cluded to ; n a salary oi eight hundred
pounds. Friend Hopper describes him th : He
is an :. . :nt and liberal-minded man, and has a
faculty of expos; . _ errors and absurdities of the
anasian Creed to much purpose. He was of a
good spiri* I was much gratified with his com-
LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER. 301
pany. He insisted upon accompanying me home in
the evening, and though I remonstrated against it,
on account of his advanced age, he attended me to
the door of my lodgings."
During this visit to Ireland, Friend Hopper was
treated with great hospitality and respect by many
who were wealthy, and many who were not weal-
thy ; by members of the Society of Friends, and of
various other religious sects. He formed a high
estimate of the Irish character, and to the day of his
death, always spoke with warm affection of the
friends he found there. In his journal, he often
alludes with pleasure to the children he met with, in
families where he visited ; for he was always ex-
tremely partial to the young. Speaking of a visit to
a gentleman in the environs of Dublin, by the name
of Wilson, he says: "I rose early in the morning,
and the eldest daughter, about ten or eleven years
old, very politely invited me to walk with her. We
rambled about in the pastures, and through beautiful
groves of oak, beech and holly. The little creature
tried her very best to amuse me. She told me about
the birds and the hares, and other inhabitants of the
woods. She inquired whether I did not want very
much to see my wife and children ; and exclaimed,
"How I should like to see you meet them ! It would
give you so much pleasure ! " He speaks of a little
girl in another family, who seemed very much at-
302 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
tracted toward him, and finally whispered to her
father, "I want to go and speak to that Friend/' She
was introduced accordingly, and they had much
pleasant chat together.
In one of the families where he visited, they told
him an instructive story concerning a Quaker who
resided in Dublin, by the name of Joseph Torrey.
One day when he was passing through the streets,
he saw a man leading a horse, which was evidently
much diseased. His compassionate heart was pained
by the sight, and he asked the man where he was
going. He replied, "The horse has the staggers,
and I am going to sell him to the carrion-butchers."
"Wilt thou sell him to me for a crown !" inquired
Joseph. The man readily assented, and the poor
animal was led to the stable of his new friend, where
he was most kindly tended. Suitable remedies and
careful treatment soon restored him to health and
beauty. One day, when Friend Torrey was riding
him in Phoenix Park, a gentleman looked very ear-
nestly at the horse, and at last inquired w T hether his
owner would be willing to sell him. "Perhaps I
would," replied Joseph, "if I could get a very good
master for him."
" He so strongly resembles a favorite horse I once
had, that I should think he was the same, if I didn't
know he was dead," rejoined the stranger.
" Did he die in thy stable ?" inquired Joseph.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER 303
The gentleman replied, "No. He had the stag-
gers very badly, and I sent him to the carrion-butch-
ers.
"I should be sorry to sell an animal to any man,
who would send him to the carrion-butchers because
he was diseased," answered Joseph. " If thou wert
ill, how wouldst thou like to have thy throat cut, in-
stead of being kindly nursed ?"
With some surprise, the gentleman inquired whe-
ther he intended to compare him to a horse. "No,"
replied Joseph; "but animals have feelings, as well
as human beings ; and when they are afflicted with
disease, they ought to be carefully attended. If I
consent to sell thee this horse, I shall exact a pro-
mise that thou wilt have him kindly nursed when he
is sick, and not send him to have his throat cut."
The gentleman readily promised all that was re-
quired, and said he should consider himself very for-
tunate to obtain a horse that so much resembled his
old favorite. When he called the next day, to com-
plete the bargain, he inquired whether forty guineas
would be a satisfactory price. The conscientious
Quaker answered, "I have good reason to believe
the horse was once thine ; and I am willing to re-
store him to thee on the conditions I have mentioned.
I have saved him from the carrion-butchers, but I
will charge thee merely what I have expended for
his food and medicine. Let it be a lesson to thee to
304 LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER.
treat animals kindly, when thoy are diseased. Never
in *v\u\ to the butchers a faithful servant, that
cannot plead for himself, and may, with proper at-
tention, again become useful to thee."
How little Friend Hopper was inclined to minister
to aristocratic prejudices, may be inferred from the
following anecdote. One day, while lie was visiting
a wealthy family in Dublin, a note was handed to
him, inviting him to dine the next day. When he
read it aloud, his host remarked, "Those people are
very respectable, but not of the first circles. They
belong to our church, but not exactly to our set.
Their father was a mechanic."
"Well I am a mechanic myself," said Isaac.
"Perhaps if thou hadst known that fact, thou
wouldst not have invited me V*
"Is it possible," exclaimed his host, " that a man
of your information and appearance can be a mecha-
nic !"
"I followed the business of a tailor for many
years," rejoined his guest. "Look at my hands!
Dost thou not see marks of the shears ? Some of
the mayors of Philadelphia have been tailors. When
I lived there, I often walked the streets with the
Chief Justice. Jl never occurred to me that it was
any honor, and I don't think it did to him."
Upon one occasion, Friend I Topper went into the
Court of Chancery in Dublin, and kept his hat on,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 305
according to Quaker custom. While he was listen-
ing to the pleading, he noticed that a person who sat
near the Chancellor fixed his eyes upon him with a
vi tv item expression. This attracted the attention
of lawyers and spectators, who also began to look at
him. Presently an officer tapped him on the shoul-
der, and said, " Your hat, sir !"
"What's the matter with my hat V he inquired.
"Take it off?" rejoined the officer. "You are in
his Majesty Court of Chancery ."
" That is an honor I reserve for his Majesty's Mas-
ter,'' he replied. "Perhaps it is my shoes thou
meanest ?"
The officer seemed embarrassed, but said no
more ; and when the Friend had stayed as long as he
felt inclined, he quietly withdrew.
One day, when he was walking with a lawyer in
Dublin, they passed the Lord Lieutenant's castle.
He expressed a wish to see the Council Chamber,
but was informed that it was not open to strangers.
"I have a mind to go and try," said he to his com-
panion. "Wilt thou go with me ?"
"Xo indeed," he replied; "and I would advise
you not to go."
He marched in, however, with his broad beaver
on, and found the Lord Lieutenant surrounded by a
number of gentleman. "I am an American," said
lie. "I have heard a great deal about the Lord
306 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Lieutenant's castle, and if it will give no offence, I
should like very much to see it."
His lordship seemed surprised by this unceremoni-
ous introduction, but he smiled, and said to a ser-
vant, " Show this American whatever he wishes to
see."
He was conducted into, various apartments, where
he saw pictures, statues, ancient armor, antique
coins, and many other curious articles. At parting,
the master of the mansion was extremely polite, and
gave him much interesting information on a variety
of topics. When he rejoined his companion, who
had agreed to wait for him at some appointed place,
he was met with the inquiry, "Well, what luck?"
" O, the best luck in the world," he replied, " I
was treated with great politeness."
"Well certainly, Mr. Hopper, you are an extraor-
dinary man," responded the lawyer. "I wouldn't
have ventured to try such an experiment."
At the expiration of four months, having complet-
ed the business which rendered his presence in Ire-
land necessary, he made a short visit to England, on
his way home. There also his hat was objected to
on several occasions. While in Bristol, he asked
permission to look at the interior o'f the Cathedral.
He had been walking about some little time, when a
rough-looking man said to him, in a very surly tone,
"Take £>fT your hat, sir !"
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 307
He replied very courteously, "I have asked per-
mission to enter here to gratify my curiosity as a
stranger. I hope it is no offence."
"Take off your hat !" rejoined the rude man. "If
you don't, I'll take it off for you."
Friend Hopper leaned on his cane, looked him full
in the face, and answered very coolly, "If thou dost,
I hope thou wilt send it to my lodgings ; for I shall
have need of it this afternoon. I lodge at No. 35,
Lower Crescent, Clifton." The place designated
was ahout a mile from the Cathedral. The man
stared at him, as if puzzled to decide whether he
were talking to an insane person, or not. When the
imperturbable Quaker had seen all he cared to see, he
deliberately walked away.
At Westminster Abbey he paid the customary fee
of two shillings sixpence for admission. The door-
keeper followed him, saying, "You must uncover
yourself, sir."
" Uncover myself !" exclaimed the Friend, with
an affectation of ignorant simplicity. "What dost
thou mean ? Must I take off my coat ?"
"Your coat !" responded the man, smiling. "No
indeed. I mean your hat."
" And what should I take off my hat for ?" he in-
quired.
" Because you are in a church, sir," answered the
door-keeper.
308 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"I see no church here," rejoined the Quaker.
"Perhaps thou meanest the house where the church
assembles. I suppose thou art aware that it is the
'people, not the building, that constitutes a church ?"
The idea seemed new to the man, but he merely
repeated, "You must take off your hat, sir."
But the Friend again inquired, "What for? On
account of these images ? Thou knowest Scripture
commands us not to w T orship graven images."
The man persisted in saying that no person could
be permitted to pass through the church without un-
covering his head. "Well friend," rejoined Isaac,
" I have some conscientious scruples on that subject ;
so give me back my money, and I will go out."
The reverential habits of the door-keeper were
not quite strong enough to compel him to that sacri-
fice ; and he walked away, without saying anything
more on the subject.
When Friend Hopper visited the House of Lords,
he asked the sergeant-at-arms if he might sit upon
the throne. He replied, "No, sir. No one but his
majesty sits there."
"Wherein does his majesty differ from other
men?" inquired he. "If his head were cut off,
wouldn't he die ?"
"Certainly he would," replied the officer.
"Sow r ould an American," rejoined Friend Hop-
per. As he spoke, he stepped up to the gilded rail-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 309
ing that surrounded the throne, and tried to open
the gate. The officer told him it was locked.
"Well won't the same key that locked it unlock it ?"
inquired he. "Is this the key hanging here?"
Being informed that it was, he took it down and
unlocked the gate. He removed the satin covering
from the throne, carefully dusted the railing with his
handkerchief, before he hung the satin over it, and
then seated himself in the royal chair. "Well,"
said he, "do I look anything like his majesty?"
The man seemed embarrassed, but smiled as he
answered, "Why, sir, you certainly fill the throne
very respectably."
There were several noblemen in the room, who
seemed to be extremely amused by these unusual
proceedings.
At a place called Jordans, about twenty-tw r o miles
from London, he visited the grave of William Penn.
In his journal, he says : "The ground is surround-
ed by a neat hedge, and is kept in good order. I
picked some grass and moss from the graves of Wil-
liam Penn, Thomas Ellwood, and Isaac Pennington ;
and some ivy and holly from the hedge ; which I in-
tend to take with me to America, as a memorial of
my visit. I entered the meeting-house, and sat on
the benches which had been occupied by George
Fox, William Penn, and George Whitehead, in years
long since passed away. It brought those old
310 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER,
Friends so distinctly before the view of my mind,
that my heart was ready to exclaim, ' Surely this is
no other than the house of God, and this is the gate
of heaven.' I cannot describe my feelings. The
manly and majestic features of George Fox, and the
mournful yet benevolent countenance of Isaac Pen-
nington, seemed to rise before me. But this is hu-
man weakness. Those men bore the burthen and
heat of their own day ; they faithfully used the
talents committed to their trust ; and I doubt not they
are now reaping the reward given to faithful ser-
vants. It is permitted us to love their memories,
but not to idolize them. They could deliver neither
son or daughter by their righteousness ; but only
their own souls."
" In the great city of London everything tended
to satisfy me that the state of our religious Society
is generally very low. A light was once kindled
there, that illuminated distant lands. As I walked
the streets, I remembered the labors, the sufferings,
and the final triumph of those illustrious sons of the
morning, George Fox, George Whitehead, William
Penn, and a host of others ; men who loved not their
lives in comparison with the holy cause of truth and
righteousness, in which they were called to labor.
These worthies have been succeeded by a genera-
tion, who seem disposed to garnish the sepulchres of
their fathers, and live upon the fruit of their labors,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 311
without submitting to the power of that Cross, which
made them what they were. There appears to me
to be much formality and dryness among them;
though there are a few who mourn, almost without
hope, over the desolation that has been made by the
world, the flesh, and the devil."
There were many poor emigrants on board the
merchant ship, in which Friend Hopper returned
home. He soon established friendly communication
with them, and entered with sympathy into all their
troubles. He made frequent visits to the steerage
during the long voyage, and always had something
comforting and cheering to say to the poor souls.
There was a clergyman on board, who also wished
to benefit them, but he approached them in an offi-
cial way, to which they did not so readily respond.
One day, when he invited the emigrants to join him
in prayer, an old Irish woman replied, "I'd rather
play a game o'cards, than hear you prache and
pray." She pointed to Friend Hopper, and added,
" He comes and stays among us, and always spakes
a word o' comfort, and does us some good. But you
come and prache and pray, and then you are gone.
One look from that Quaker gintleman is worth all
the praching and praying that be in you."
The vessel encountered a dense fog, and ran on a
sand bank as they approached the Jersey shore. A
tremendous sea was rolling, and dashed against the
312 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ship with such force, that she seemed every moment
in danger of being shattered into fragments. If
there had been a violent gale of wind, all must have
been inevitably lost. The passengers were generally
in a state of extreme terror. Screams and groans
were heard in every direction. But Friend .Hop-
per's mind was preserved in a state of great equa-
nimity. He entreated the people to be quiet, and try
to keep possession of their faculties, that they might
be ready to do whatever was best, in case of emer-
gency. Seeing him so calm, they gathered closely
round him, as if they thought he had some power to
save them. There was a naval officer on board,
whose frenzied state of feeling vented itself in blas-
phemous language. Friend Hopper, who was al-
ways disturbed by irreverent use of the name of
Deity, was peculiarly shocked by it under these
solemn circumstances. He walked up to the officer,
put his hand on his shoulder, and looking him in the
face, said, "From what I have heard of thy military
exploits, I supposed thou wert a brave man; but
here thou art pouring forth blasphemies, to keep up
the appearance of courage, while thy pale face and
quivering lips show that thou art in mortal fear. I
am ashamed of thee. If thou hast no reverence for
Deity thyself, thou shouldst show some regard for
the feelings of those who have." The officer ceased
swearing, and treated his adviser with marked res-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 313
pect. A friendship was formed between them, which
continued as long as the captain lived.
The clergyman on board afterward said to Friend
Hopper, " If any other person had talked to him in
that manner, he would have knocked him down."
In about two hours, the vessel floated off the sand-
bar and went safely into the harbor of New- York.
At the custom-house, the clergyman was in some
perplexity about a large quantity of books he had
brought with him, on which it was proposed to charge
high duties. "Perhaps I can get them through for
thee," said Friend Hopper. "I will try." He went
up to the officer, and said, " Isn't it a rule of the
custom-house not to charge a man for the tools of
his trade?" He replied that it was. "Then thou
art bound to let this priest's books pass free," rejoin-
ed the Friend. "Preaching is the trade he gets his
living by ; and these books are the tools he must
use." The clergyman being aware of Quaker views
with regard to a paid ministry, seemed doubtful
whether to be pleased or not, with such a mode of
helping him out of difficulty. However, he took the
joke as good naturedly as it was offered, and the
books passed free, on the assurance that they were
all for his own library.
Friend Hopper's bookstore in New- York was a
place of great resort for members of his own sect.
His animated style of conversation, his thousand
14
314 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and one anecdotes of runaway slaves, Lis descrip-
tions of keen encounters with the "Orthodox," in the
process of separation, attracted many listeners. His
intelligence and well-known conscientiousness com-
manded respect, and he was held in high estimation
by his own branch of the Society, though the oppo-
site party naturally entertained a less favorable opin-
ion of the "Hicksite" champion. Such a character
as he was must necessarily always be a man oi
mark, with warm friends and bitter enemies.
His resemblance to Bonaparte attracted attention
in New-York, as it had done in Philadelphia. Not
long after he removed to that city, there was a dra-
matic representation at the Park Theatre, in which
Placide personated the French Emperor. While
this play was attracting public attention, the mana-
ger happened to meet Friend Hopper in the street.
As soon as he saw him, he exclaimed, "Here is Na-
poleon himself come back again !" He remarked to
some of his acquaintance that he would gladly give
that Quaker gentleman one hundred dollars a night,
if he would consent to appear on the stage in the
costume of Bonaparte.
About this period northern hostility to slavery
took a new form, more bold and uncompromising
than the old Abolition Societies. It demanded the
immediate and unconditional emancipation of every
slave, in a voice which has not yet been silenced,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 315
and never will be, while the oppressive system con-
tinues to disgrace our country. Of course, Friend
Hopper could not otherwise than sympathize with
any movement for the abolition of slavery, based on
pacific principles. Pictures and pamphlets, published
by the Anti-Slavery Society were offered for sale in
his book-store. During the popular excitement on this
subject, in 1834, he was told that his store was about
to be attacked by an infuriated rabble, and he had
better remove all such publications from the win-
dow. "Dost thou think I am such a coward as to
forsake my principles, or conceal them, at the bid-
ding of a mob?" said he. Presently, another mes-
senger came to announce that the mob were already
in progress, at the distance of a few streets. He
was earnestly advised at least to put up the shut-
ters, that their attention might not be attracted by
the pictures. "I shall do no such thing," he replied.
The excited throng soon came pouring down the
street, with loud and discordant yells. Friend Hop-
per walked out and stood on the steps. The mob
stopped in front of his store. He looked calmly and
firmly at them, and they looked irresolutely at him,
like a wild animal spell-bound by the fixed gaze of a
human eye. After a brief pause, they renewed their
yells, and some of their leaders called out, " Go on,
to Rose-street !" They obeyed these orders, and in
the absence of Lewis Tappan, a well-known aboli-
316 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
tionist, they burst open his house, and destroyed his
furniture.
In 18U5, Judge Chinn, of Mississippi, visited New-
York, and brought with him a slave, said to have
cost the large sum of fifteen hundred dollars. A few
days after their arrival in the city, the slave eloped,
and a reward of five hundred dollars was offered for
his apprehension. Friend Hopper knew nothing
about him ; but some mischievous person wrote a
note to Judge Chinn, stating that the fugitive was
concealed at his store, in Pearl-street. A warrant
was procured and put into the hands of a constable
frequently employed in that base business. At that
season of the year, many Southerners were in the
city to purchase goods. A number of them accom-
panied the judge to Pearl-street, and distributed
themselves at short distances, in order to arrest the
slave, in case he attempted to escape. They pre-
ferred to search the store in the absence of Friend
Hopper, and watched nearly an hour for a favorable
opportunity. Meanwhile, he was entirely uncon-
scious of their proceedings ; and having occasion to
call at a house a few doors below, he left the store
for a short time in charge of one of his sons. As
soon as he was gone, four or five men rushed in.
Not finding the object of their pursuit, they jumped
out of a back window, and began to search some
buildings in the rear. When people complained of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 317
such unceremonious intrusion upon their premises,
the constable excused himself by saying they were
trying to apprehend a felon. Friend Hopper's son
called out that it was a slave, not a felon, they were
in search of ; for he heard them say so. This made
the constable very angry ; for, like most slave-catch-
ers, he was eager for the reward, but rather ashamed
of the services by which he sought to obtain it. He
swore roundly, and one of his party gave the young
man a blow on his face.
Friend Hopper, being sent for, returned immedi-
ately ; and for some time after, he observed a re-
spectable looking person occasionally peeping into
the store, and skulking out of sight as soon as he
thought himself observed. At last, he went to the
door, and said, "My friend, if thou hast business
with me, come in and let me know what it is ; but
don't be prying about my premises in that way,"
He walked off, and joined a group of people, who
seemed to be much excited. Friend Hopper fol-
lowed, and found they were the men who had been
recently searching his store. He said to their lead-
er, "Art thou the impertinent fellow who has been
intruding upon my premises, in my absence?" The
constable replied that he had a warrant, and was
determined to execute it. Though a stranger to his
countenance, Friend Hopper was well aware that he
was noted for hunting slaves, and being unable to
318 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
disguise his abhorrence ot the odious business, he
said, "Judas betrayed his master for thirty pieces of
silver; and for a like sum, I suppose thou wouldst
seize thy brother by the throat, and send him into
interminable bondage. If thy conscience were as
susceptible of conviction as his was, thou wouldst do
as he did ; and thus rid the community of an intolera-
ble nuisance."
One of the Southerners repeated the word "Bro-
ther ! " in a very sneering tone.
"Yes," rejoined Friend. Hopper, "I said brother."
He returned to his store, but was soon summoned
into the street again, by a complaint that the con-
stable and his troop of slaveholders were very rough-
ly handling a colored man, saying he had no business
to keep in their vicinity. When Friend Hopper in-
terfered, to prevent further abuse, several of the
Southerners pointed bowie-knives and. pistols at him.
He told the constable it was his duty, as a police-of-
ficer, to arrest those men for carrying deadly wea-
pons and making such a turmoil in the street ; and he
threatened to complain of him if he did not do it.
He complied very reluctantly, and of course the cul-
prits escaped before they reached the police-office.
A few days after, as young Mr. Hopper Avas walk-
ing up Chatham-street, on his way home in the eve-
ning, some unknown person came behind him, knock-
ed him down, and beat him in a most savage man-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 319
ner, so that he was unable to leave his room for
many days. No doubt was entertained that this
brutal attack was by one of the company who wertf
on the search for Judge Chinn's slave.
It was afterward rumored that the fugitive had ar-
riv« ly in Canada. I never heard that he re-
turned to the happy condition of slavery ; though his
master predicted that he would do so, and said he
never would have been so foolish as to leave it, if it
had not been for the false representations of aboli-
tionists.
In 1836, the hatred which Southerners bore to
Friend Hopper's name was manifested in a cruel and
altogether unprovoked outrage on his son, which
caused the young man a great deal of suffering, and
well nigh cost him his life. John Hopper, Esq., now
a lawyer in the city of New- York, had occasion to
go to the South on business. He remained in
Charleston about two months, during which time he
was treated with courtesy in his business relations,
and received many kind attentions in the intercourse
of social life. One little incident that occurred dur-
ing his visit illustrates the tenacious attachment of
Friends to their own mode of worship. When he
left home, his father had exhorted him to attend
Friends' meeting while he was in Charleston. He
told him that a meeting had been established there
many years ago, but he supposed there were not
320 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
half a dozen members remaining, and probably they
had no ministry ; for the original settlers had died,
or left Carolina on account of their testimony against
slavery. But as Quakers believe that silent worship
is often more blessed to the soul, than the most
eloquent preaching, he had a strong desire that his
son should attend the meeting constantly, even if he
found but two or three to unite with him. The
young man promised that he would do so. Ac-
cordingly, when he arrived in Charleston, he in-
quired for the meeting-house, and was informed that
it was well nigh deserted. On the first day of the
week, he went to the place designated, and found a
venerable, kind-looking Friend seated under the
preachers' gallery. In obedience to a signal from
him, he took a seat by his side, and they remained
there in silence nearly two hours. Then the old man
turned and shook hands with him, as an indication
that the meeting was concluded, according to the
custom of the Society of Friends. When he found
that he was talking to the son of Isaac T. Hopper,
and that he had promised to attend meeting there,
during his stay in Charleston, he was so much af-
fected, that his eyes filled with tears. "Oh, 1 shall
be glad of thy company," said he ; "for most of the
time, this winter, I am here all alone. My old
friends and companions have all died, or moved
awav. I come hero twice on "First davs, and once
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 321
on Fifth day, and sit all, all alone, till I feel it right
to leave the house and go home."
This lonely old worshipper once had an intimate
friend, who for a long time was his only companion
in the silent meeting. At the close, they shook
hands and walked off together, enjoying a kindly
chat on their way home. Unfortunately, some diffi-
culty afterward occurred between them, which com
pletely estranged them from each other. Both still
clung to their old place of worship. They took
their, accustomed seats, and remained silent for a
couple of hours ; but they parted without shaking
hands, or speaking a single word. This alienation
almost broke the old man's heart. After awhile, he
lost even this shadow of companionship, and there
n mained only "the voice within," and echoes of
memory from the empty benches.
While Mr. Hopper remained in Charleston, he
went to the Quaker meeting-house every Sunday,
and rarely found any one there except the perse-
vering old Friend, who often invited him to go home
with him. He seemed to take great satisfaction in
talking with him about his father, and listening to
what he had heard him say concerning the Society
of Friends. When the farewell hour came, he was
much affected ; for he felt it not likely they would
ever meet again ; and the conversation of the young
stranger had formed a link between him and the
14* .
322 LIFE Or ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Quakerism he loved so well. The old man con-
tinued to sit alone under the preacher's gallery till
the house took fire and was burned to the ground.
He died soon after that event, at a very advanced
age.
Another incident, which occurred during Mr.
Hopper's stay in Charleston, seemed exceedingly
trivial at the time, but came very near producing fa-
tal consequences. One day, when a clergyman
whom he visited was showing him his library, he
mentioned that his father had quite an antiquarian
taste for old documents connected with the Society
of Friends. At parting, the clergyman gave him
several pamphlets for his father, and among them
happened to be a. tract published by Friends in Phila-
delphia, describing the colony at Sierra Leone, and
giving an account of the slave trade on the coast of
Africa. He put the pamphlets in his trunk, and
started for Savannah, where he arrived on the twen-
ty-eighth of January. At the City Hotel, he unfor-
tunately encountered a marshal of the city of New-
York, who was much employed in catching runaway
slaves, and of course sympathized with slaveholders.
He pointed the young stranger out, as a son of Isaac
T. Hopper, the notorious abolitionist. This infor-
mation kindled a flame immediately, and they began
to discuss plans of vengeance. The traveller, not
dreaming of danger, retired to his room soon after
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 323
supper. In a few minutes, his door was forced open
by a gang of intoxicated men, escorted by the New-
York marshal. They assailed him with a volley of
blasphemous language, struck him, kicked him, and
spit in his face. They broke open and rifled his
trunk, and searched his pockets for abolition docu-
ments. When they found the harmless little Quaker
tract about the colony at Sierra Leone, they scream-
ed with exultation. They shouted, "Here is what
we wanted ! Here is proof of abolitionism !" Some
of them rushed out and told the mob, who crowded
the bar-room and entries, that they had found a trunk
full of abolition tracts. Others seized Mr. Hopper
violently, telling him to say his last prayers, and go
with them. The proprietor of the City Hotel was
r< ry naturally alarmed for the safety of the building.
He was in a great passion, and conjured them to
carry their victim down forthwith ; saying he could
do nothing with the mob below, who were getting
very impatient waiting for him. Turning to Mr.
Hopper, he said, "Young man, you are in a very
unfortunate situation. You ought never to have left
your home. But it is your own doing; and you de-
serve your fate." When appealed to for protection,
he exclaimed, " Good God ! you must not appeal to
me. This is a damned delicate business. I shall
not be able to protect my own property. But T will
go for the mayor."
324 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
One of the bar-keeper's confidential friends sent
him a slip of paper, on which was written, "His
only mode of escape is by the window ;" and the
bar-keeper, who had previously shown himself de-
cidedly unfriendly, urged him again and again to
profit by this advice. He occupied the third story,
and the street below his window was thronged with
an infuriated mob, thirsting and clamoring for his
blood. In view of these facts, it seems not very un-
charitable to suppose that the advice was given to
make sure of his death, apparently by his own act,
and thus save the city of Savannah from the dis-
grace of the deed. Of the two terrible alternatives,
he preferred going down-stairs into the midst of the
angry mob, who were getting more and more mad-
dened by liquor, having taken forcible possession of
the bar. He considered his fate inevitable, and had
made up his mind to die. But at the foot of the
stairs, he was met by the mayor and several alder-
men, whose timely arrival saved his life. After ask-
ing some questions, and receiving the assurance that
he came to Savannah solely on commercial business,
the magistrates accompanied Mr. Hopper to his
room, and briefly examined his books and papers.
The mayor then went down and addressed the mob,
assuring them that he should be kept in custody dur-
ing the night ; that strict investigation should be
made, and if there was the slightest evidence of his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 325
being an abolitionist, he should not be suffered to go
at large. The mayor and a large body of civil offi-
cers accompanied the prisoner to the guard-house,
and a number of citizens volunteered their services,
to strengthen the escort ; but all their efforts scarce-
ly sufficed to keep him from the grasp of the infuriat-
ed multitude. He was placed in a noisome cell, to
await his trial, and the customary guard was increas-
ed for his protection. Portions of the mob continued
howling round the prison all night, and the mayor
was sent for several times to prevent their bursting
in. A gallows was erected, with a barrel of feathers
and a tub of tar in readiness under it, that they might
amuse themselves with their victim before they mur-
dered him.
Next morning, at five o'clock, the prisoner was
brought before the mayor for further examination.
Many of the mob followed him to the door of the
office to await the issue. The evidence was satis-
factory that he belonged to no anti-slavery society,
and that his business in Savannah had no connection
whatever with that subject. As for the pamphlet
about Sierra Leone, the mayor said he considered
that evidence in his favor; because it was written in
support of colonization. Before the examination
closed, there came a driving rain, which dispersed
the mob lying in wait round the building. Aided by
this lucky storm their destined victim passed out
32u LIFB OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
without being observed. At parting, the mayor
said to him, "Young man, you may consider it a
miracle that you have escaped with your life."
He took refuge on board the ship Angelique,
bound for New- York, and was received with much
kindness and sympathy by Captain Nichols, the
commander. There was likewise a sailor on board,
who happened to be one of the many that owed a
debt of gratitude to Friend Hopper ; and he swore
he would shoot anybody that attempted to harm his
son. In a short time, a messenger came from the
mayor to announce that the populace had discovered
where Mr. Hopper was secreted, and would probably
attack the vessel. In this emergency, the captain
behaved nobly toward his hunted fellow-citizen. He
requested him to lie down flat in the bottom of a
boat, which he himself entered and conducted to a
brig bound for Providence. The captain was a
New-England man, but having been long engaged in
Southern trade, his principles on the subject of
slavery were adapted to his interest. He gave the
persecuted young traveller a most ungracious recep-
tion, and said if he thought he was an abolitionist he
would send him directly back to Savannah. How-
ever, the representations of Captain Nichols induced
him to consent that he should be put on board.
They had a tedious passage of thirty-five days,
during which there was a long and violent storm,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPfft*. 327
that seemed likely to wreck the vessel. The mob
had robbed Mr. Hopper of his money and clothing.
He had no comfortable garments to shield him fro^
the severe cold, and his hands and feet were frozen.
At last, he arrived at Providence, and went on board
the steamer Benjamin Franklin, bound for New-
York. There he had the good fortune to meet with
a colored waiter, whose father had been redeemed
from slavery by Friend Hopper's exertions. He was
assiduously devoted to the son of his benefactor, and
did everything in his power to alleviate his distressed
condition.
When the traveller arrived at his home, he was so
haggard and worn down with danger and fatigue,
that his family scarcely recognized him. His father
was much excited and deeply affected, when he
heard what perils he had gone through merely on
account of his name. He soon after addressed the
following letter to the mayor of Savannah :
New- York, 4th month, 18th, 1836.
"Friend,
My object in addressing thee is to express
my heartfelt gratitude for thy exertions in saving
the life of my son, which I have cause to believe
was in imminent peril, from the violence of unreason-
able men, while in your city a few weeks ago. I am
informed that very soon after his arrival in Savan-
328 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
nah, the fact became known to a marshal of this
city, who was then there, and who, by his misre-
presentations, excited the rabble to a determination to
perpetrate the most inhuman outrage upon him, and
in all probability to take his life ; and that prepara-
tions were made, which, if carried into effect, would
doubtless have produced that result.
"Tar and feathers, as a mode of punishment, I am
inclined to think is rather of modern invention ; and
I am doubtful whether they will be more efficient
than whipping, cutting off ears, the rack, the halter,
and the stake. Superstition and intolerance have
long ago called in all these to their aid, in suppress-
ing reformation in religion ; but they were unable to
accomplish the end designed ; and if I am not greatly
mistaken, they would prove entirely insufficient to
stop the progress of emancipation.
"If it is the determination of the people of Savan-
nah to deliver up to a lawless and blood-thirsty mob
every person coming among them w T hose sentiments
are opposed to slavery, I apprehend there are very
few r at the North who would not be obnoxious to
their hostility. For I believe they all view slavery
as an evil that must be abolished at no very distant
day. Would it not be well for the people of the
South to reflect upon the tendency of their conduct ?
Where such aggressions upon humanity are com-
mitted, the slaves will naturally inquire into the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 329
cause ; and when they are informed that it is in con-
sequence of their oppressed and degraded condition,
and that the persons thus persecuted are charged
w ith being their friends, they cannot feel indifferent.
One such scene as was witnessed in the case of my
son would tend more to excite a spirit of insurrec-
tion and insubordination among them, than ten thou-
sand ' incendiary pamphlets,' not one word of which
any of them could read. My son went to Savannah
solely on his own private business, without any in-
tention of interfering with the slaves, or with the
subject of slavery in any way. But even supposing
the charge to have been true, do not your laws
award sufficient punishment ? How could you stand
silently by, and witness proceedings that would put
to blush the Arab, or the untutored inhabitant of the
wilderness in our own country? The negroes, whom
you affect to despise so much, would set an example
of benevolence and humanity, when on their own
soil, if a stranger came among them, which you can-
not be prepared to imitate, till you have made great
improvements in civilization.
"The people of Savannah profess Christianity;
but what avails profession, where latitude is given to
the vilest and most depraved passions of the human
heart ? Suppose the mob had murdered my son ; a
young man who went among you in the ordinary
course of his business, and who, even according to
330 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
your understanding of the term, had done no evil ; a
young man of fair reputation, with numerous near
relatives and friends to mourn over the barbarous
deed ; would you have been guiltless ? I think the
just witness in your consciences would answer
No.
" I have long deplored the evils of slavery, and
my sympathy has often been much excited for the
master, as well as the slave. I am aware of the
difficulties attending the system, and I should rejoice
if I could aid in devising some mode of relief, that
would satisfy the claims of justice and humanity,
and at the same time be acceptable to the inhabi-
tants of the South.
"It is certainly cause of deep regret that the
Southern people suffer their angry passions to be-
come so highly excited on this subject, which, of all
others, ought to be calmly considered. For it re-
mains a truth that 'the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God,' neither can it open his
eyes to see in what his best interest consists. 0,
that your ears may be open to the voice of wisdom
before it is too late ! The lanfrua<re of an eminent
statesman, who was a slaveholder, often occurs to
me : 'I tremble for my country when I reflect that
God is just, and that his justice will not sleep for-
ever.' Surely we have high authority for believing
that 'For .the crying of the poor, and the sighing of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. IIOFPER. 331
the needy, God will arise.' I hope I shall not be
ipected of entertaining hostile or unkind feelings
toward the people of the South, when I say that I
believe slavery must and will be abolished. As sure
as God is merciful and good, it is an evil that can-
not endure forever.
"An inspired apostle says, that our gracious Crea-
tor 'hath made of one blood all nations of men ;' and
our Saviour gave this commandment : 'As ye would
that men should do to you, do ye also to them like-
wise/ If we believe these declarations, and I hope
none doubt their authority, I should think reasoning
unnecessary to convince us that to oppress and en-
slave our fellow men cannot be pleasing to Him, who
is just and equal in all his ways.
"My concern for the welfare of my fellow men is
not confined to color, or circumscribed by geographi-
cal lines. I can never see human suffering without
feeling compassion, and I would always gladly alle-
viate it, if I had it in my power. I remember that
we are all, without distinction of color or locality,
children of the same Universal Parent, who delights
to see the human family dwell together in peace and
harmony. I am strongly inclined to the opinion that
the proceedings of that portion of the inhabitants of
the North who are called abolitionists, would not
produce so much agitation and excitement at the
South, if the people there felt entirely satisfied that
332 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
slavery was justifiable in the sight of infinite purity
and justice. An eminent minister of the Gospel,
about the middle of the seventeenth century, often
urged upon the attention of people this emphatic in-
junction : 'Mind the light !' 'All things that are re-
proved are made manifest by the light ; for whatso-
ever doth make manifest is light.' Now, if this light,
or spirit of truth, ' a manifestation of which is given
to every man to profit withal,' should be found testi-
fying in your consciences against injustice and op-
pression, regard its admonitions ! It will let none
remain at ease in their sins. It will justify for well
doing ; but to those who rebel against it, and disre-
gard its reproofs, it will become the 'worm that di-
eth not, and the fire that is not quenched.'
" I am aware that complaints are often made, be-
cause obstacles are thrown in the way of Southern-
ers reclaiming their fugitive slaves. But bring the
matter home to yourselves. Suppose a white man
resided among you, who, for a series of years, had
conducted with sobriety, industry, and probity, and
had given frequent evidence of the kindness of his
heart, by a disposition to oblige whenever opportuni-
ty offered ; suppose he had a wife and children de-
pendent upon him, and supported them comfortably
and respectably ; could you see that man dragged
from his bed, and from the bosom of his family, in
the dead time of night, manacled, and hurried away
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 333
into a distant part of the country, where his family
could never see him again, and where they knew he
must linger out a miserable existence, more intolera-
ble than death, amid the horrors of slavery ? I ask
whether you could witness all this, without the most
poignant grief? This is no picture of the fancy.
It is a sober reality. The only difference is, the
men thus treated are black. But in my view, this
does not diminish the horrors of such cruel deeds.
Can it be expected then, that the citizens of this
state, or indeed of any other, would witness all this,
without instituting the severest scrutiny into the le-
gality of the proceedings ? More especially, when
it is known that the persons employed in this nefari-
ous business of hunting up fugitive slaves are men
destitute of principle, whose hearts are callous as
flint, and who would send a free man into bondage
with as little compunction as they w T ould a slave, if
they could do it w T ith impunity.
" Of latter time, w T e hear much said about a dis-
solution of the Union. Far better, in my view, that
this should take place, if it can be effected without
violence, than to remain as we are ; when a peacea-
ble citizen cannot enter your territory on his own
lawful business, without the risk of being murdered
by a ruthless mob.
"With reverent thankfulness to Him, who num-
bers the hairs of our heads, without whose notice not
334 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
even a sparrow falls to the ground,- and to whose
providence I consider myself indebted for the re-
demption of my beloved son from the hands of bar-
barians, permit me again to say that I feel sincerely
grateful to thee and others, who kindly lent aid,
though late, in rescuing him from the violence of un-
reasonable and wicked men, who sought his life
without a cause. I may never have it in my power
to do either of you personally a kindness ; but some
other member of the great family of mankind may
need assistance in a way that I can relieve him. If
this should be the case, I hope I shall not fail to em-
brace the opportunity.
"With fervent desires that the beneficent Creator
and Father of the Universe may open the eyes of all
to see that 'the fast which he hath chosen is to loose
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens
and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break
every yoke.'
"1 am thy sincere friend,
Isaac T. Hopper."
Soon after the circumstances above related, the
mayor of New-York revoked the warrant of the
marshal, who had been so conspicuous in the out-
rage. This step was taken in consequence of his
own admissions concerning his conduct.
In 1837, a little incident occurred, which may be
interesting to those who are curious concerning phre-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 335
nology. At a small social party in New- York, a dis-
cussion arose on that subject ; and, as usual, some
wvrc disposed to believe and others to ridicule. At
lust the disputants proposed to test the question by
careful experiment. Friend Hopper was one of the
party, and they asked him to have his he,ad examined
by the well-known 0. S. Fowler. Having a good-
natured willingness to gratify their curiosity, he con-
ited. It was agreed that he should not speak dur-
ing the operation, lest the tones of his voice might
serve as an index of his character. It was further
stipulated that no person in the room should give
any indication by which the phrenologist might be
enabled to judge whether he was supposed to be
speaking correctly or not. The next day, Mr. Fow-
ler was introduced blindfolded into a room, where
Isaac T. Hopper was seated with the party of the
preceding evening. Having passed his hands over
the strongly developed head, he made the following
statement, which was taken down by a rapid writer,
as the words fell from his lips.
"The first and strongest manifestation of this
character is efficiency. Not one man in a thousand
is capable of accomplishing so much. The strong
points are very strong ; the weak points are weak ;
so that he is an eccentric and peculiar character.
"The pole-star of his character is moral cour-
age.
336 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"He has very little reverence, and stands in no
awe of the powers that be. He pays no regard to
forms or ceremonies, or established customs, in
church or state. He renders no homage to great
names, such as D.D. ; L.L.D. ; or Excellency. He
treats his fellow men with kindness and affection,
but not with sufficient respect and courtesy.
"He is emphatically republican in feeling and
character. He makes himself free and familiar with
every one. He often lets himself down too much.
This constitutes a radical defect in his character.
"He will assert and maintain human rights and
liberty at every hazard. In this cause, he will stake
anything, or suffer anything. This constitutes the
leading feature of his character. Every other ele-
ment is blended into this.
"I should consider him a very cautious man in
fact, though in appearance he is very imprudent ;
especially in remarks on moral subjects.
"He is too apt to denounce those whom he con-
siders in error ; to apply opprobrious epithets and
censure in the strongest terms, and the boldest man-
ner.
"I have seldom, if ever, met with a larger organ
of conscientiousness.
"Nothing so much delights him as to advocate
and propagate moral principles ; no matter how un-
popular the principles may be.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 337
"He has very little credulity.
"lie is one of the closest observers of men and
things anywhere to be found. He sees, as it were
by intuition everything that passes around him, and
understands just when and where to take men and
tilings ; just how and where to say things with
effect ; and in all he says, he speaks directly to the
point.
"He says and does a great many severe and cut-
ting things. If anybody else said and did such
things, they would at once get into hot water ; but
he says and does them in such a manner, that even
his enemies, and those against whom his censures
are aimed, cannot be offended with him. He is al-
ways on the verge of difficulty, but never in diffi-
culty.
" He is hated mainly by those not personally ac-
quainted with him. A personal interview, even with
his greatest enemies, generally removes enmity ; be-
cause of the smoothness and easiness of his man-
ners.
"He has at command a great amount of well-di-
gested information on almost every subject, and
makes admirable use of his knowledge. He has a
great many facts, and always brings them in their
right place. His general memory of particulars,
incidents, places, and words, is really wonderful.
But he has a weak memorv concerning names, dates,
15
338 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
numbers, and colors. He never recognizes persons
by their dress, or by the color of anything pertaining
to them.
"He tells a story admirably, and acts it out to the
life. He makes a great deal of fun, and keeps
others in a roar of laughter, while he is -sober him-
self. For his fun, he is as much indebted to the
manner as to the matter. He makes his jokes
mainly by happy comparisons, striking illustrations,
and the imitative power with which he expresses
them.
"He possesses a great amount of native talent,
but it is so admirably distributed, that he appears to
have more than he actually possesses.
"His attachment to his friends is remarkably
strong and ardent. But he will associate with none
except those whose moral characters are unimpeach-
able.
" He expects and anticipates a great deal ; enters
largely into things ; takes hold of every measure
with spirit ; and is always overwhelmed with busi-
ness. Move where he will, he cannot be otherwise
than a distinguished man."
That this description was remarkably accurate in
most particulars will be obvious to those who have
read the preceding anecdotes. It is not true, how-
ever, that he was enthusiastic in character, or that
he had the appearance of being so. He was far too
life OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 339
practical and self-possessed, to have the reputation
of being "half crazy," even among those who are
prone to regard everything as insane that is out of
the common course. Neither do I think he was
accustomed to "let himself down too much;" for ac-
cording to my radical ideas, a man cannot "let him-
self down," who "associates only with those whose
moral characters are unimpeachable." It is true
that he was pleasant and playful in conversation
with all classes of people; but he was remarkably
free from any tinge of vulgarity. It is true, also,
that he was totally and entirely unconscious of any
such thing as distinctions of rank. I have been
acquainted with many theoretical democrats, and
with not a few who tried to be democratic, from
kind feelings and principles of justice ; but Friend
Hopper and Francis Jackson of Boston are the only
two men I ever met, who were born democrats ; who
could not help it, if they tried ; and who would not
know how to try ; so completely did they, by nature,
ignore all artificial distinctions. Of course, I do not
use the word democrat in its limited party sense ,
but to express their perfect unconsciousness that any
man was considered to be above them, or any man
beneath them. If Friend Hopper encountered his
wood-sawyer, after a considerable absence, he would
shake hands warmly, and give him a cordial wel-
come.' If the English Prince had called upon him,
340 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
he would have met with the same friendly reception,
and would probably have been accosted something
after this fashion: "How art thou, friend Albert?
They tell me thou art amiable and kindly disposed
toward the people ; and I am glad to see thee."
Those who observe the parting advice given by
Isaac's mother, when he went to serve his appren-
ticeship in Philadelphia, will easily infer that this
peculiarity was hereditary. Some men, who rise
above their original position, either in character or
fortune, endeavor to conceal their early history.
Others obtrude it upon all occasions, in order to
magnify themselves by a contrast between what
they have been and what they are. But he did
neither the one nor the other. The subject did not
occupy his thoughts. He spoke of having been a
tailor, whenever it came naturally in his way, but
never for the sake of doing so. His having been
born in a hen-house was a mere external accident in
his eyes ; and in the same light he regarded the fact
that Victoria was born in a palace. What was the
spiritual condition of the two at any given age,
was the only thing that seemed to him of real im-
portance.
His steadfastness in maintaining moral principles,
"however unpopular those principles might be," was
severely tried in the autumn of 1838. At a late
hour in the night, two colored men came to his house,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 341
and one introduced the other as a stranger in the
city, who had need of a lodging. Friend Hopper of
course conjectured that he might be a fugitive slave ;
and this conjecture was confirmed the next morning.
The stranger was a mulatto, about twenty-two years
old, and called himself Thomas Hughes. According
to his own account, he was the son of a wealthy
planter in Virginia, who sold his mother with him-
self and his twin sister when they were eleven
months old. His mother and sister were subse-
quently sold, but he could never ascertain where
they were sent. When he was about thirteen, he
was purchased by the son of his first master. Being
hardly dealt with by this relative, he one day re-
monstrated with him for treating his own brother
with so much severity. This was, of course, deemed
a great piece of insolence in a bondman, and he was
punished by being sold to a speculator, carried off
hand-cufTed, with his feet tied under the horse's
belly, and finally shipped for Louisiana with a coffle
of five hundred slaves. He was bought by a gam-
bler, who took him to Louisville, Kentucky. When
he had lived there three years, his master, having
lost large sums of money, told him he should be
obliged to sell him. Thomas had meanwhile ascer-
tained that his father had removed to Kentucky, and
was still a very wealthy man. He obtained per-
mission to go and see him, with the hope that he
342 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
would purchase him and set him free. Accordingly,
he called upon him, and told him that he was Tho-
mas, the son of his slave Rachel, who had always
assured him that he was his father. The rich
planter did not deny poor Rachel's assertion, but in
answer to her son's inquiries, he plainly manifested
that he neither knew nor cared who had bought her,
or to what part of the country she had been sent.
Thomas represented his own miserable condition, in
being sold from one to another, and subject to the
will of whoever happened to be his owner. He in-
treated his father to purchase him, with a view to
manumission ; but himself and his proposition were
both treated with supreme contempt. Thus rejected
by his father, and unable to discover any traces of
his mother, he returned disheartened to Louisville,
and was soon after sent to New-Orleans to be sold.
Mr. John P. Darg, a speculator in slaves, bought
him ; and he soon after married a girl named Mary,
who belonged to his new master. Mr. Darg went to
New-York, to visit some relatives, and took Thomas
with him. It was only a few days after their arrival
in the city, that the slave left him, and went to Isaac
T. Hopper to ask a lodging. When he acknow-
ledged that he was a fugitive, intending to take
refuge in Canada, it was deemed imprudent for him
to remain under the roof of a person so widely
known as an abolitionist ; but a very benevolent and
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 343
intelligent Quaker lady, near eighty years old, named
Margaret Shoemaker, gladly gave him shelter.
When Friend Hopper went to his place of busi-
ness, after parting with the colored stranger, he saw
an advertisement in a newspaper called the Sun, of-
fering one thousand dollars reward, for the apprehen-
sion and return of a mulatto man, who had stolen
seven or eight thousand dollars from a house in Va-
rick-street. A proportionate reward was offered for
the recovery of any part of the money. Though no
names were mentioned, he had reason to conjecture
that Thomas Hughes might be the mulatto in ques-
tion. He accordingly sought him out, read the ad-
vertisement to him, and inquired whether he had sto-
len anything from his master. He denied having
committed any theft, and said the pretence that he
had done so was a mere trick, often resorted to by
slaveholders, when they wanted to catch a runaway
slave. That this remark was true, Friend Hopper
knew very well by his own experience ; he therefore
concluded it was likely that Thomas was not guilty.
He expressed this conviction in conversation on the
subject with Barney Corse, a benevolent member
of the Society of Friends, who was kindly disposed
toward the colored people. In compliance with
Friend Hopper's request, that gentleman waited up-
on the editor of the Sun, accompanied by a lawyer,
and was assured that a large amount of money real-
344 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ly had been stolen from Mr. Darg, and that if he
could recover it, he was willing to give a pledge for
the manumission of the slave, beside paying the pro-
mised reward to whoever would enable him to get
possession of the money. Barney Corse called up-
on Mr. Darg, who promptly confirmed the state-
ment made by the editor in his name. The Friend
then promised that he, and others who were inter-
ested for the slave, would do their utmost to obtain
tidings of the money, and see it safely restored, on
those conditions ; but he expressly stipulated that
he could not do it otherwise, because he had consci-
entious scruples, which would prevent him, in all
cases, from helping to return a fugitive slave to his
master.
It is to be observed that the promise of manumis-
sion was given as the highest bribe that could be
offered to induce the slave to refund the money he
had taken ; for though in argument slaveholders
generally maintain that their slaves have no desire
for freedom, they are never known to act upon that
supposition. In this case, the offer served a double
purpose ; for it stimulated the benevolent zeal of
Friend Hopper and Barney Corse, and induced the
fugitive to confess what he had done. He still denied
that he had any intention of stealing, but declared
that he took the money merely to obtain power over
his master, hoping that the promise to restore it
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 345
would secure his manumission. It is impossible to
tell whether he spoke truth or not ; for poor Thomas
had been educated in a bad school of morals. Sold
by his father, abused by his brother, and for years
compelled to do the bidding of gamblers and slave-
speculators, how could he be expected to have very
clear perceptions of right and wrong? The circum-
stances of the case, however, seem to render it ra-
ther probable that he really was impelled by the mo-
live which he assigned for his conduct. Mr. Darg
declared that he had previously considered him an
honest and faithful servant ; that he was in the habit
of trusting him with the key of his trunk, and fre-
quently sent him to it for money. The bank-bills
he had purloined were placed in the hands of two
colored men in New-York, because, as he said, he
could not return them himself, but must necessarily
employ somebody to do it for him, in the intended
process of negotiating for his freedom.
Friend Hopper, his son-in-law James S. Gibbons,
and Barney Corse, were very earnest to recover the
money, for the best of reasons. In the first place,
they greatly desired to secure the manumission of
the slave. In the second place, the honesty of their
characters led them to wish that the master should
recover what was his own. In both instances, they
wished to restore stolen property to the rightful
owner ; to Thomas Hughes the free use of his own
15*
346 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
faculties and limbs, which had been stolen from him,
and to Mr. Darg the money that had been purloined
from him. It is not likely that the Southerner would
have ever regained any portion of the amount sto-
len, had it not been for their exertions. But, by
careful and judicious management, they soon re-
covered nearly six thousand dollars, which was im-
mediately placed in one of the principal banks of the
city, with a full statement of the circumstances of
the case to the cashier. Over one thousand more
was heard of as having been deposited with a colored
man in Albany. Friend Hopper proposed that Bar-
ney Corse should go in pursuit of it, accompanied
by the colored man who sent it there. He agreed to
do so ; but he deemed it prudent to have a previous
interview with Mr. Darg, to obtain his written pro-
mise to manumit Thomas, to pay the necessary ex-
penses of the journey, and to exonerate from crimi-
nal prosecution any person or persons connected
with the robbery, provided that assurance proved
necessary in order to get possession of the money.
All this being satisfactorily accomplished, he went to
Albany and brought back the sum said to have been
deposited there. Ten or fourteen hundred dollars
were still wanting to complete the amount, which
Mr. Darg said he had lost; but they had hopes ol
obtaining that also, by confronting various individu-
als, who had become involved with this complicated
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. . 347
affair. Meanwhile, Barney Corse and- James S.
Gibbons called upon Mr. Darg to inform him of the
amount recovered and safely deposited in the bank,
and to pay him the sum brought from Albany. In-
stead of giving the deed of manumission, which had
been his own voluntary offer at the outset, and which
he knew had been the impelling motive to exertion,
Mr. Darg had two police-officers in an adjoining
room to arrest Barney Corse for having stolen money
in his possession. He was of course astonished at
such an ungrateful return for his services, but at
once expressed his readiness to go before any magis-
trate that might be named.
It would not be easy to give an adequate idea of
the storm of persecution that followed. Popular
prejudice against abolitionists was then raging with
uncommon fury ; and police-officers and editors
availed themselves of it to the utmost to excite hos-
tility against individuals, who had been actuated by
a kind motive, and who had proceeded with perfect
openness throughout the whole affair. The newspa-
pers of the city were pro-slavery, almost without ex-
ception. The idea of sending abolitionists to the
State Prison was a glorious prospect, over which
they exulted mightily. They represented that Tho-
mas had been enticed from his master by these pre-
tended philanthropists, who had advised him to steal
the money, as a cunning mode of obtaining manu-
348 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
mission. As for the accused, all they asked was a
speedy and thorough investigation of their conduct.
The case was however postponed from week to
week, and offers were made meanwhile to compro-
mise the matter, if Barney Corse would pay the bal-
ance of the lost money. He had wealthy connex-
ions, and perhaps the prosecutors hoped to extort
money from them, to avoid the disgrace of a trial.
But Barney Corse was far from wishing to avoid a
trial.
At this juncture of affairs, Friend Hopper took a
step, which raised a great clamor among his ene-
mies, and puzzled some of his friends at the time,
because they did not understand his motives. He
sued Mr. Darg for the promised reward of one thou-
sand dollars. He had several reasons for this pro-
ceeding. In the first place, the newspapers continu-
ally pointed him out as a man over whose head a cri-
minal prosecution was pending ; while he had at the
same time had good reason to believe that his accusers
would never venture to meet him before a court of
justice ; and a proper regard for his own character
made him resolved to obtain a legal investigation of
bis conduct by some process. In the second place,
Mr. Darg had subjected Barney Corse to a great
deal of trouble and expense ; and Friend Hopper
thought it no more than fair that expenses caused by
his own treachery should be paid from his own pock-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 349
et. In the third place, David Ruggles, a worthy
colored man, no way implicated in the transaction,
had been arrested, and was likely to be involved in
expense. In the fourth place, the police officers,
who advised the arrest of Barney Corse, made them-
selves very conspicuous in the persecution. He be-
lieved they had been actuated by a desire to obtain
the reward for themselves ; and as they had no just
claim to it, he determined to defeat them in this at-
tempt. Pie therefore sued for the reward himself,
though he never intended to use a dollar of it. This
was manifested at the time, by a declaration in the
newspapers, that if he recovered the reward, he
would give all over the expenses to some benevolent
society. It was frequently intimated to him that
there should be no further proceedings against him,
if he would withdraw this suit ; but he constantly
replied that a trial was what he wanted. Finding
all overtures rejected, a complaint was laid before
the Grand Jury ; and such was the state of popular
prejudice, that twelve out of nineteen of that body
concurred in finding a bill against men of excellent
moral character, without any real evidence to sus-
tain the charge. Barney Corse had never taken
measures to prevent the arrest of Thomas Hughes.
He simply declined to render any assistance. He
believed that he was under no legal obligation to do
otherwise ; and he knew for a certainty that he was
350 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
under no moral obligation ; because conscience would
not allow him to aid in returning a runaway slave to
his master. Nevertheless, he and Isaac T. Hopper,
and James S. Gibbons, were indicted for "felonious-
ly receiving, harboring, aiding and maintaining said
Thomas, in order that he might escape from arrest,
and avoid conviction and punishment." Friend
Hopper was advised that he might avail himself of
some technical defects in the indictment ; but he de-
clined doing it ; always insisting that a public inves-
tigation was what he wanted.
The trial was carried on in the same spirit that
characterized the previous proceedings. A colored
man, known to have had dishonest possession of a
portion of the lost money, was admitted to testify,
on two successive trials, against Barney Corse, who
had always sustained a fair character. The District
Attorney talked to the jury of "the necessity of ap-
peasing the South." As if convicting an honest and
kind-hearted Quaker of being accomplice in a felony
could do anything toward settling the questions that
divided North and South on the subject of slavery !
One of the jury declared that he never would acquit
an abolitionist. Mr. Darg testified of himself dur-
ing the trial, that he never intended to manumit
Thomas, and had made the promise merely as a
means of obtaining his money. The newspapers
spoke as if the guilt of the accused was not to be
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 351
doubted, and informed the jury that the public ex-
pected them to convict these men.
In fact, the storm lowered so darkly, that some
friends of the persecuted individuals began to feel
uneasy. But Friend Hopper's mind was perfectly
undisturbed. Highly respectable lawyers offered to
conduct the cause for him ; but he gratefully declin-
ed, saying he preferred to manage it for himself.
He informed the court that he presumed they under-
stood the law, and he was quite sure that he under-
stood the facts ; therefore, he saw no need of a law-
yer between them. The Court of Sessions was held
e\'ery month, and he appeared before it at almost
every term, to demand a trial. At last, in January
1840, when the hearing had been delayed fifteen
months, he gave notice that unless he w r as tried dur-
ing that term, he should appear on the last day of it,
and request that a nolle prosequi should be ordered.
The trial not coming on, he appeared accordingly,
and made a very animated speech, in which he dwelt
with deserved severity on the evils of the police
system, and on the efforts of a corrupt press to per-
vert the public mind. He said he did not make
these remarks to excite sympathy. He was not
there to ask for mercy, but to demand justice.
" And I would have you all to understand distinct-
ly," continued the brave old man, "that I have no
wish to evade the charge against me for being an
352 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
abolitionist. I am an abolitionist. In that, I am
charged truly. I have been an abolitionist from my
early years, and I always expect to remain so. For
this, I am prosecuted and persecuted. I most sin-
cerely believe that slavery is the greatest sin the
Lord Almighty ever suffered to exist upon this earth.
As sure as God is good and just, he will put an end
to it ; and all opposition w T ill be in vain. As regards
myself, I can only say, that having lived three-score
and nearly ten years, with a character that placed
me above suspicion in. such matters as have been
urged against me, I cannot now forego the principles
which have always influenced my conduct in relation
to slavery. Neither force on the one hand, nor per-
suasion on the other, will ever alter my course of
action."
One of the New- York papers, commenting on
this speech, at the time, states that "the old gentle-
man was listened to very attentively. He w T as com-
posed, dignified, and clear in his manner, and evi-
dently had much effect on the court and a large
number of spectators. He certainly needed no coun-
sel to aid him."
The court ordered a nolle prosequi to be entered,
and the defendants were all discharged. The suit
for the reward proceeded no further. David Ruggles
had been early discharged, and the whole case had
been completely before the public in pamphlet form ;
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 353
therefore the principal objects for urging it no longer
existed.
Though the friends of human freedom made rea-
sonable allowance for a man brought up under such
demoralizing influences as Thomas Hughes had been,
1 hoy of course felt less confidence in him, than they
would have done had he sought to obtain liberty by
some more commendable process. Being aware of
this, he returned to his master, not long after he
acknowledged the theft. At one time, it was pro-
ved to send him back to the South ; but he swore
that he would cut his throat rather than return into
slavery. The best lawyers declared their opinion
that he was legally entitled to freedom, in conse-
quence of his master's written promise to manumit
him if the money were restored; consequently some
difficulties would have attended any attempt to
coerce him. He was tried on an indictment for
grand larceny, convicted, and sentenced to the State
Prison for two years ; the shortest term allowed for
the offence charged against him. Through the
whole course of the affair, he proved himself to be a
very irresolute and unreliable character. At one
time, he said that his master was a notorious gam-
bler ; then he denied that he ever said so ; then he
affirmed that his first statement was true, though he
had been frightened into contradicting it. When his
time was out at Sing Sing, he expressed to Friend
354 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Hopper and others his determination to remain at
the North ; but after an interview with Mr. Darg, he
consented to return to the South with him. Al-
though he was thus wavering in character, he could
never be persuaded to say that any abolitionist ad-
vised him to take his master's money. He always
declared that no white man knew anything about
it, until after he had placed it out of his own hands ;
and that the friends who were willing to aid him in
procuring his manumission had always expressed
their regret that he had committed such a wrong
action. He deserved praise for his consistency on
this point ; for he had the offer of being exempted
from prosecution himself, and used as a witness,
if he would say they advised him to steal the mo-
ney.
When Thomas Hughes consented to return to the
South with Mr. Darg, it was with the full under-
standing that he went as a free man, consenting to
be his servant. This he expressed during his last
interview with Friend Hopper, in Mr. Darg's pre-
sence. But the newspapers represented that he had
voluntarily gone back into slavery ; and such was
their exultation over his supposed choice, that a per-
son unacquainted with the history of our republic
miffht have inferred that the heroes of the revolution
fought and died mainly for the purpose of convincing
their posterity of the superior advantages of slavery
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 355
over freedom. However, it was not long before
Thomas returned to New- York, and told the follow-
ing story : "A short time before my release from
prison, Mr. Darg brought my wife to see me, and
told me we should both be free and enjoy each other's
society as long as we lived, if I would go with him.
He said I should suffer here at the North ; for the
abolitionists would do nothing for me. I went with
him solely with the hope of living with Mary. I
thought if he attempted to hold me as a slave, we
would both run away, the first opportunity. He told
me we should meet Mary in Washington ; but when
we arrived in Baltimore, he shut me up in jail, and
told me Mary was sold, and carried off South. I
cannot describe how I felt. I never expect to see
her again. He asked me if I consented to come
with him on Mary's account, or on his own account.
I thought it would make it better for me to say on
his account ; and I said so. I hope the Lord w T ill
forgive me for telling a falsehood. When I had
been in jail some time, he called to see me, and said
that as I did not come with him on account of my
wife, he w T ould not sell me ; that I should be free,
and he would try to buy Mary for me."
Thomas said he was informed that certain people
in New- York wrote to Mr. Darg, advising him not to
sell him, because the abolitionists predicted that he
would do so ; and he thought that was the reason
356 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
why he was not sold. If this supposition was correct,
it is a great pity that his master was not induced by
some better motive to avoid an evil action. Thomas
uniformly spoke of Mrs. Darg with respect and
gratitude. He said, " She was always very kind to
me and Mary. 1 know she did not want to have
me sold, or to have Mary sold ; for I believe she
loved her. I feel very sorry that I could not live
with her and be free ; but I had rather live in the
State Prison all my life than to be a slave."
I never heard what became of Thomas. Friend
Shoemaker used to tell me, years afterward, how she
secreted him, and rejoiced in the deed. I heard the
good lady, when more than ninety years old, just before
her death, talk the matter over ; and her kindly, in-
telligent countenance smiled all over, as she recount-
ed how she had contrived to dodge the police, and
avoid being a witness in the case. The Fugitive
Slave Law would be of no avail to tyrants, if all the
women at the North had as much moral courage, and
were as benevolent and quick-witted as she was.
Those who were most active in persecuting Friend
Hopper and Barney Corse convinced the public, by
their subsequent disreputable career, that they were
not men whose word could be relied upon.
Dr. R. W. Moore, of Philadelphia, in a letter to
Friend Hopper concerning this troublesome case,
says • "I am aware thou hast passed through many
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 357
trials in the prosecution of this matter. Condemned
by the world, censured by some of thy friends, and
discouraged by the weak, thou hast had much to
bear. But thou hast been able to foil thy enemies,
and to pass through the flames without the smell of
fire on thy garments. Thy christian firmness is an
example to us all. It reminds one of those ancient
Quakers, who, knowing themselves in the right, suf-
fered wrongs rather than compromise their princi-
ples. For the sake of mankind, I am sorry there
are not more such characters among us. They
would do more to exalt our principles, than a host of
the professors of the present day."
A year or two later, another incident occurred,
which excited similar exultation among New- York
editors, that a human being had been so wise as to
prefer slavery to freedom ; and there w r as about as
much cause for such exultation as there had been in
the case of Thomas Hughes.
Mrs. Burke of New-Orleans went to New- York to
visit a relative by the name of Morgan. She brought
a slave to attend upon her, and took great care to
prevent her becoming acquainted with the colored
people. I don't know how city editors would ac-
count for this extreme caution, consistently with
their ideas of the blessedness of slavery. They
might argue that there was danger free colored peo-
ple would be so attracted by her charming pictures
358 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
of bondage, that they would emigrate to the South
in larger numbers than would supply the slave-mar-
kets, and thus occasion some depression in an honor-
able branch of trade in this republic. However
they might please to explain it, the simple fact was,
Mrs. Burke did not allow her slave to go into the
street. Of course, she must have had some other
motive than the idea that freedom could be attrac-
tive to her. The colored people became aware of the
careful constraint imposed upon the woman, and
they informed the abolitionists. Thinking it right
that slaves should be made aware of their legal
claim to freedom, when brought or sent into the free
states, with knowledge and consent of their mas-
ters, they applied to Judge Oakley for a writ of ha-
beas corpus, by virtue of which the girl was brought
before him. While she was in waiting, Friend Hop-
per heard of the circumstance, and immediately pro-
ceeded to the court-room. There he found Mr.
Morgan and one of his southern friends talking busi-
ly with the slave. The woman appeared frightened
and undecided, as is often the case, under such cir-
cumstances. Those who wished her to return to the
South plied her with fair promises. They represent-
ed abolitionists as a set of kidnappers, who seized
colored strangers under friendly pretences, and no-
body could tell what became of them afterward. It
was urged that her condition would be most misera-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 359
ble with the "free niggers" of the North, even if the
abolitionists did not sell her, or spirit her away to
some unknown region.
On the other hand, the colored people, who had
assembled about the court-room, were very eager to
Tescue her from slavery. She did not understand
fieir motives, or those of the abolitionists ; for they
had been diligently misrepresented to her. "What
do they want to do it for?'''' she asked, with a per-
plexed air. "What will they do with me?" She
was afraid there was some selfish motive concealed.
She dared not trust the professions of strangers,
whose characters had been so unfavorably represent-
ed. Friend Hopper found her in this confused state
of mind. The Southerner was very willing to speak
for her. He gave assurance that she did not want
her freedom ; that she desired to return to the
South ; and that she had been in no respect distrain-
ed of her liberty in the city of New-York.
"Thou art a very respectable looking man," said
Friend Hopper; "but T have known slaveholders, of
even more genteel appearance than thou art, tell
gross falsehoods where a slave was in question. I
tell thee plainly, that I have no confidence in slave-
holders, in any such case. I have had too much
acquaintance with them. I know their game too
well."
The Southerner said something about its being
360 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
both mean and wrong to come between master and
servant.
"Such may be thy opinion," replied Friend Hop-
per ; "but my views of duty differ from thine in this
matter." Then turning to the woman, he said, " By
the laws here, thou art free. No man has a right to
make thee a slave again. Thou may est stay at the
North, or go back to New-Orleans, just as thou
choosest."
The Southerner here interposed to say, "Mind
what that old gentleman says. You can go back to
New-Orleans, to your husband, if you prefer to go."
"But let me tell thee," said Friend Hopper to the
woman, "that if thou stayest here, thou wilt be
free ; but if they carry thee back, they may sell
thee away from thy husband. Dost thou wish to be
free ?"
The tears gushed from her eyes in full flood, and
she replied earnestly, "I do want to* be free. To be
sure I do want to be free ; but then I want to go to
my husband."
Mr. Morgan and his Southern friend grew excited.
"With an angry glance at the old gentleman, the lat-
ter exclaimed, "I only wish we had you in New-Or-
leans ! We'd hang you up in twenty-four hours."
"Then you are a set of savages," replied Friend
Hopper.
" You are a set of thieves," retorted he.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 361
"Well, lavages may be thieves also," rejoined the
abolitionist, with a significant smile.
"You arc no gentleman," responded the other, in
an irritated tone.
"I don't profess to be a gentleman," answered the
impassive Quaker. "But I am an honest old man;
and perhaps that will do as well."
This remark occasioned a general smile. Indeed
it was pleasant to observe, throughout this scene in
the court-room, that popular sympathy was altogeth-
er on the side of freedom. It was a strange blind
instinct on the part of the people, considering how
diligently they had been instructed otherwise by pul-
pit and press ; but so it was.
When the slave was summoned into the judge's
room, Friend Hopper followed ; being extremely de-
sirous to have her understand her position clearly.
He found Mr. Morgan and his Southern friend in
close and earnest conversation with her. When he
attempted to approach her, he was unceremoniously
shoved aside, with the remark, "Don't push me
away !"
"I did not push thee," said Friend Hopper ; M and
that thou dost not push me /" He then inquired
of the woman if he had rightly understood that her
husband was free. She replied in the affirmative.
"Then let me tell thee," said the kind-hearted old
gentleman, "that we will send for him, and obtain
16
362 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
employment for him here, if it is thy choice to re-
main."
Again she wept, and repeated, "I do want to be
free." But she was evidently bewildered and dis-
trustful, and did not know how to understand the op-
posite professions that were made to her.
On representation of the claimant's friends, Judge
Oakley adjourned the case till the next morning ;
telling the woman she was at liberty to go with
whom she pleased. The colored people had assem-
bled in considerable numbers, and were a good deal
excited. Experience led them to suppose that she
would either be cajoled into consenting to return to
slavery, or else secretly packed off to New-Orleans,
if she were left in Southern hands. They accord-
ingly made haste to hustle her away. But their
well-intended zeal terrified the poor bewildered crea-
ture, and she escaped from them, and went back to
her mistress.
The pro-slavery papers chuckled, as they always
do, when some poor ignorant victim is deceived by
false representation, alarmed by an excitement that
she does not comprehend, afraid that strangers are
not telling her the truth, or that they have not the
power to protect her ; and in continual terror of fu-
ture punishment, if she should attempt to take her
freedom, and yet be unable to maintain it. Great is
the triumph of republicans, when, under such trying
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 363
circumstances, one poor bewildered wretch goes back
to slavery ; but of the hundreds, who every month
take their freedom, through fire and flood, and all
manner of deadly perils, they are as silent as the
grave.
In the spring of 1841, I went to New-York to
edit the Anti-Slavery Standard, and took up my
abode with the family of Isaac T. Hopper. The
zealous theological controversy among Friends natu-
rally subsided after the separation between the op-
posing parties had become an old and settled fact.
Consequently the demand for Quaker books dimin-
ished more and more. The Anti-Slavery Society, at
that time, needed a Treasurer and Book- Agent ; and
Friend Hopper was proposed as a suitable person for
that office. As only a small portion of his time was
occupied with the sale of books he had on hand, he
concluded to accept the proposition. He was then
nearly seventy years old ; but he appeared at least
twenty years younger, in person and manners. His
firm, elastic step seemed like a vigorous man of fifty.
He would spring from the Bowery cars, while they
were in motion, with as much agility as a lad of
fourteen. His hair was not even sprinkled with
gray. It looked so black and glossy, that a young
lady, who was introduced to him, said she thought
he wore a wig unnaturally dark for his age. It was
a favorite joke of his to make strangers believe he
364 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
wore a wig ; and they were not easily satisfied that
he spoke in jest, until they examined his head.
The roguery of his boyhood had subsided into a
love of little mischievous tricks ; and the playful
tone of humor, that rippled through his conversation,
frequently reminded me of the Cheeryble Brothers,
so admirably described by Dickens. If some one
rang at the door, and inquired for Mr. Hopper, he
always answered, "There is no such person lives
here." If the stranger urged that he had been di-
rected by a man who said he knew Mr. Hopper, he
would persevere in saying, "There must be some
mistake. No such person lives here." At last, when
the disappointed visitor turned to go away, he would
call out, "Perhaps thou means Isaac T. Hopper?
That is my name."
Being called upon to give a receipt to a Catholic
priest for some money deposited in his hands, he
simply wrote "Received of John Smith." When
the priest had read it, he handed it back and said,
"I am disbursing other people's money, and shall be
obliged to show this receipt ; therefore, I should like
to have you write my name, the Reverend John
Smith." "I have conscientious scruples about using
titles," replied Friend Hopper. "However, I will
try to oblige thee." He took another slip of paper,
and wrote, "Received of John Smith, who calls
himself the Reverend." The priest smiled, and ac-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 365
cepted the compromise ; being well aware that the
pleasantry originated in no personal or sectarian pre-
judice.
He always had something facetious to say to the
people with whom he traded. The oyster-men, the
coal-men, and the women at the fruit-stalls in his
neighborhood, all knew him as a pleasant old gentle-
man, always ready for a joke. One day, when he
was buying some peaches, he said to the woman,
" A serious accident happened at our house last
night. I killed two robbers." "Dear me!" she ex-
claimed. "Were they young men, or old convicts?
Had they ever been in Sing Sing?" "I don't know
about that," replied he. "I should think they might
have been by the noise they made. But I despatch-
ed them before they had stolen much. The walls
are quite bloody." ''Has a Coroner's inquest been
called ?" inquired the woman. When he answered,
"No," she lifted her hands in astonishment, and ex-
claimed, "Well now, I do declare ! If anybody else
had done it, there would have been a great fuss
made about it ; but you are a privileged man, Mr.
Hopper." When he was about to walk away, he
turned round and said, "I did not mention to thee
that the robbers I killed were two mosquitoes." The
woman had a good laugh, and he came home as
pleased as a boy, to think how completely his seri-
ous manner had deceived her.
366 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
One day he went to a hosiery store, and said to
the man, "I bought a pair of stockings here yester-
day. They looked very nice ; but when I got home,
I found two large holes in them ; and I have come
for another pair. The man summoned his wife, and
informed her of what the gentleman had said.
"Bless me ! Is it possible, sir ?" she exclaimed.
"Yes," replied Friend Hopper, I found they had
holes as large as my hand."
"It is very strange," rejoined she; "for I am
sure they were new. But if you have brought them
back, of course we will change them."
"O," said he, "upon examination, I concluded
that the big holes were made to put the feet in ; and
I liked the stockings so well, that I have come to
buy another pair."
At another time, he entered a crockery shop,
where a young girl was tending. He made up a
very sorrowful face, and in whining tones, told her
that he was in trouble and needed help. She asked
him to wait till the gentleman came ; but he contin-
ued to beseech that she would take compassion on
him. The girl began to be frightened by his impor-
tunity, and looked anxiously toward the door. At
last, the man of the shop came in ; and Friend Hop-
per said, "This young woman thinks she cannot
help me out of my trouble ; but I think she can.
The fact is, we are going to have company , and so
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 367
many of our tumblers are broken, that I came to ask
if she would sell me a few."
One day, when he was walking quickly up the
Bowerv, his foot slipped on a piece of orange-peel,
and he fell prostrate on the sidewalk. He started up
instantly, and turning to a young man behind him,
he said, " Couldst thou have done that any better?"
He very often mingled with affairs in the street,
as he passed along. One day, when he saw a man
beating his horse brutally, he stepped up to him and
said, very seriously, "Dost thou know that some
people think men change into animals when they
die ?"
The stranger's attention was arrested by such an
unexpected question, and he answered that he never
was acquainted with anybody who had that belief.
"But some people do believe it," rejoined Friend
Hopper; "and they also believe that animals may
become men. Now I am thinking if thou shouldst
ever be a horse, and that horse should ever be a
man, with such a temper as thine, the chance is thou
wilt get some cruel beatings." Having thus changed
the current of his angry mood, he proceeded to ex-
postulate with him in a friendly way ; and the poor
beast was reprieved, for that time, at least.
He could imitate the Irish brogue very perfectly ;
and it was a standing jest with him to make every
Irish stranger believe he was a countryman. During
368 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
his visit to Ireland, he had become so well acquaint-
ed with various localities, that I believe he never in
any instance failed to deceive them, when he said,
"Och! and sure I came from old Ireland meself."
After amusing himself in this way for a while, he
would tell them, "It is true I did come from Ireland;
but, to confess the truth, I went there first."
Once, when he saw two Irishmen fighting-, he
seized one of them by the arm, and said, " I'm from
ould Ireland. If thou must fight, I'm the man for
thee. Thou hadst better let that poor fellow alone.
I'm a dale stouter than he is ; and sure it would be
braver to fight me." The man thus accosted looked
at him with surprise, for an instant, then burst out
laughing, threw his coat across his arm, and walked
off.
Another time, when he found two Irishmen quar-
relling, he stepped up and inquired what was the
matter. "He's got my prayer-book," exclaimed one
of them ; "and I'll give him a bating for it ; by St.
Patrick, I will." "Let me give thee a piece of ad-
vice," said Friend Hopper. "It's a very hot day,
and bating is warm work. I'm thinking thou had'st
better put it off till the cool o' the morning." The.
men, of course, became cooler before they had done
listening to this playful remonstrance.
Once, when he was travelling in the stage, they
passed a number of Irishmen with cart-loads of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 369
stones, to mend the road. Friend Hopper suggested
to the driver that he had better ask them to remove
a very large stone, which lay directly in the way
and seemed dangerous. "It will be of no use if I
do," replied the driver. "They'll only curse me,
and tell me to go round the old road, over the hill ;
for the fact is, this road is not fairly opened to the
public yet." Friend Hopper jumped out, and asked
if they would turn that big stone aside. "And sure
ye've no business here at all," they replied. "Ye
may jist go round by the ould road." "Och !" said
Friend Hopper, " and is this the way I'm trated by
my coontryman ? I'm from Ireland meself; and
sure I did'nt expect to be trated so by my coontry-
men in a strange coontry."
"And are ye from ould Ireland?" inquired they.
"Indade I am," he replied.
"And what part may ye be from?" said they.
"From Mount Mellick, Queen's County," rejoined
he ; and he began to talk familiarly about the priest
and the doctor there, till he got the laborers into a
real good humor, and they removed the stone with
the utmost alacrity. The passengers in the stage
listened to this conversation, and supposed that he
was in reality an Irish Quaker. When he returned
to them and explained the joke, they had a hearty
laugh over his powers of mimicry.
His 1 tricks with children were innumerable. They
370 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
would often be lying in wait for him in the street ;
and if he passed without noticing them, they would
sometimes pull at the skirts of his coat, to obtain the
customary attention. Occasionally, he would ob-
serve a little troop staring at him, attracted by the
singularity of his costume. Then, he would stop,
face about, stretch out his leg, and say, " Come now,
boys ! Come, and take a good look ! " It was his
delight to steal up behind them, and tickle their
necks, while he made a loud squealing noise. The
children, supposing some animal had set upon them,
would jump as if they had been shot. And how he
would laugh ! When he met a boy with dirty face
or hands, he would stop him, and inquire if he ever
studied chemistry. The boy, with a wondering
stare, would answer, ''No." "Well then, I will
teach thee how to perform a curious chemical ex-
periment," said Friend Hopper. "Go home, take a
piece of soap, put it in water, and rub it briskly on
thy hands and face. Thou hast no idea what a
beautiful froth it will make, and how much whiter
thy skin will be. That's a chemical experiment. I
advise thee to try it."
The character of his wife was extremely modest
and reserved ; and he took mischievous pleasure in
telling strangers the story of their courtship in a way
that made her blush. "Dost thou know what Han-
nah answered, when I asked if she would marry
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 371
me?" said he. "I will tell thee how it was. I
was walking home with her one evening, soon after
the death of her mother, and I mentioned to her that
as she was alone now, I supposed she intended to
make some change in her mode of living. When
she said yes, I told her I had been thinking it would
be very pleasant to have her come and live with me.
'That would suit me exactly,' said she. This
prompt reply made me suppose she might not have
understood my meaning ; and I explained that I
wanted to have her become a member of my family ;
but she replied again, ' There is nothing I should
like better.'"
The real fact was, the quiet and timid Hannah
Attmore was not dreaming of such a thing as a pro-
posal of marriage. She supposed he spoke of re-
ceiving her as a boarder in his family. When she
at last perceived his meaning, she slipped her arm
out of his very quickly, and was too much confused
to utter a word. But it amused him to represent
that she seized the opportunity the moment it was
offered.
There was one of the anti-slavery agents who did
everything in a dashing, wholesale style, and was
very apt to give peremptory orders. One day he
wrote a letter on business, to which the following
postscript was appended : " Give the hands at your
office a tremendous blowing up. They need it."
«i72 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Friend Hopper briefly replied : "According to thy
orders, I have given the hands at our office a tre-
mendous blowing up. They want to know what it
is for. Please inform me by return of mail."
When the Prison Association of New- York pe-
titioned to be incorporated, he went to Albany on
business therewith connected. He was then a stran-
ger at the seat of government, though they after-
ward came to know him well. When he was seated
in the senate-chamber, a man came to him and told
him to take off his hat. He replied, "I had rather
not. I am accustomed to keep it on."
"But it is contrary to the rules," rejoined the offi-
cer. "I am ordered to turn out any man who refu-
ses to uncover his head."
The Quaker quietly responded, " Very well, friend,
obey thy orders."
"Then, will you please to walk out, sir?" said the
officer.
"No," replied Friend Hopper. "Didst thou not
tell me thou wert ordered to turn me out?" Dost
thou suppose I am going to do thy duty for thee ? "
The officer looked embarrassed, and said, half
smiling, "But how am I to get you out ?"
"Carry me out, to be sure," rejoined Friend Hop-
per. " I see no other way."
The officer went and whispered to the Speaker,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 373
who glanced at the noble-looking old gentleman,
and advised that he should be let alone.
Sometimes his jests conveyed cutting sarcasms.
One day, when he was riding in an omnibus, he
opened a port-monnaie lined with red. A man with
very flaming visage, who was somewhat intoxicated,
and therefore very much inclined to be talkative,
said, "Ah, that is a very gay pocket-book for a Qua-
ker to carry."
"Yes, it is very red," replied Friend Hopper;
"but is not so red as thy nose," The passengers all
smiled, and the man seized the first opportunity to
make his escape.
A poor woman once entered an omnibus, w T hich
was nearly full, and stood waiting for some one to
make room. A proud-looking lady sat near Friend
Hopper, and he asked her to move a little, to ac-
commodate the new comer. But she looked very
glum, and remained motionless. After examining
her countenance for an instant, he said, "If thy face
often looks so, I should n't like to have thee for a
neighbor." The passengers exchanged smiles at this
rebuke, and the lady frowned still more deeply.
One of the jury in the Darg case was "a son of
Abraham," rather conspicuous for his prejudice
against colored people. Some time after the pro-
ceedings were dropped, Friend Hopper happened to
meet him, and entered into conversation on the sub-
374 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ject. The Jew was very bitter against "that ras-
cally thief, Tom Hughes." "It does not become
thee to be so very severe," said Friend Hopper ; "for
thy ancestors were slaves in Egypt, and went off
with the gold and silver jewels they borrowed of
their masters."
One day he met several of the Society of Friends,
whom he had not seen for some time. Among them
was an Orthodox Friend, who was rather stiff in his
manners. The others shook hands with Isaac ; but
when he approached "the Orthodox," he merely
held out his finger.
"Why dost thou offer me thy finger?" said he.
"I don't allow people of certain principles to get
very deep hold of me," was the cold reply.
"Thou needest have no uneasiness on that score,"
rejoined Friend Hopper; "for there never was any-
thing deep in thee to get hold of?
The sense of justice, so conspicuous in boyhood,
always remained a distinguishing trait in his charac-
ter. Once, after riding half a mile, he perceived
that he had got into the wrong omnibus. When he
jumped out, the driver called for pay ; but he an-
swered, "I don't owe thee anything. I've been car-
ried the wrong way." This troubled him afterward,
when he considered that he had used the carriage
and horses, and that the mistake was his own fault.
He kept on the look-out for the driver, but did not
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 375
happen to see him again, until several weeks after-
ward. He called to him to stop, and paid the six-
pence.
"Why, you refused to pay me, when I asked
you," said the driver.
"I know I did," he replied; "but I repented of it
afterward. I was in a hurry then, and I did not re-
flect that the mistake was my fault, not thine ; and
that I ought to pay for riding half a mile with thy
horses, though they did carry me the wrong way."
The man laughed, and said he didn't often meet
with such conscientious passengers.
The tenacity of the old gentleman's memory was
truly remarkable. He often repeated letters, which
he had written or received twenty years before on
some memorable occasion ; and if opportunity oc-
curred to compare them with the originals, it would
be found that he had scarcely varied a word. He
always maintained that he could distinctly remember
some things, which happened before he was two
years old. One day, when his parents were absent,
and Polly was busy about her work, he sat bolstered
up in his cradle, when a sudden gust of wind blew a
large piece of paper through the entry. To his un-
educated senses, it seemed to be a living creature,
and he screamed violently. It was several hours
before he recovered from his extreme terror. When
his parents returned, he tried to make them under-
876 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
stand how a strange thing- had come into the house,
and run, and jumped, and made a noise. But his
lisping language was so very imperfect, that they
were unable to conjecture what had so frightened
him. For a long time after, he would break out into
sudden screams, whenever the remembrance came
over hjjn. At seventy-five years old, he told me he
remembered exactly how the paper then appeared to
him, and what sensations of terror it excited in his
infant breast.
He had a large old-fashioned cow-bell, which was
always rung to summon the family to their meals.
He resisted having one of more modern construction,
because he said that pleasantly reminded him of the
time when he was a boy, and used to drive the cows
to pasture. Sometimes, he rang it much longer
than was necessary to summon the household. On
such occasions, I often observed him smiling while
he stood shaking the bell ; and he would say, "I am
thinking how Polly looked, when the cow kicked
her over; milk-pail and all. I can see it just as
if it happened yesterday. O, what fun it was !"
He often spoke of the first slave whose escape he
managed, in the days of his apprenticeship. He
was wont to exclaim, "How well I remember the
anxious, imploring look that poor fellow gave me,
when I told him I would be his friend ! It rises up
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 377
before me now. If I were a uainter, I could show it
to thee."
But clearly above all other things, did he remem-
ber every look and tone of his beloved Sarah ; even
in the days when they trudged to school together,
hand in hand. The recollection of this first love,
closely intertwined with his first religious impres-
sions, was the only flowery spot of romance in the
old gentleman's very practical character. When he
was seventy years of age, he showed me a piece of
writing she had copied for him, when she was a girl
of fourteen. It was preserved in the self-same en-
velope, in which she sent it, and pinned with the
same pin, long since blackened by age. I said, " Be
careful not to lose that pin."
"Lose it!" he exclaimed. ''No money could
tempt me to part with it. I loved the very ground
she trod upon."
He was never weary of eulogizing her comely
looks, beautiful manners, sound principles, and sen-
sible conversation. The w r orthy companion of his
later life never seemed troubled by such remarks.
She not only "listened to a sister's praises with un-
wounded ear," but often added a heartfelt tribute to
the virtues of her departed friend.
It is very common for old people to grow careless
about their personal appearance, and their style of
378 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
conversation ; but Friend Hopper was remarkably
free from such faults. He was exceedingly pure in
his mind, and in his personal habits. He never allud-
ed to any subject that was unclean, never made
any indelicate remark, or used any unseemly expres-
sion. There was never the slightest occasion for
young people to feel uneasy concerning what he
might say. However lively his mood might be, his
fun was always sure to be restrained by the nicest
sense of natural propriety. He shaved, and took a
cold plunge-bath every day. Not a particle of mud
or dust was allowed to remain upon his garments.
He always insisted on blacking- his own shoes ; for
it was one of his principles not to be waited upon,
while he was well enough to wait upon himself.
They were always as polished as japan ; and every
Saturday night, his silver buckles were made as
bright as a new dollar, in readiness to go to meeting
the next day. His dress was precisely like that worn
by William Penn. At the time I knew him, I be-
lieve he was the only Quaker in the country, who
had not departed from that model in the slightest
degree. It was in fact the dress of all English gen-
tlemen, in King Charles's time ; and the only pecu-
liarity of William Penn was, that he wore it without
embroidery or ornament of any kind, for the purpose
of protesting against the extravagance of the fash-
LTFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 379
ionable world. Therefore, the spirit of his intention
and that of other early Friends, would be preserved
by wearing dress cut according to the prevailing
mode, but of plain materials, and entirely unorna-
mented. However, Friend Hopper was attached to
the ancient costume from early association, and he
could not quite banish the idea that any change in it
would be a degree of conformity to the fashions ol
the world. The long stockings, and small clothes
buckled at the knee, were well adapted to his finely
formed limbs ; and certainly he and his lady- like
Hannah, in their quaint garb of the olden time,
formed a very agreeable picture.
He had no peculiarities with regard to eating or
drinking. He always followed the old-fashioned
substantial mode of living, to which he had been ac-
customed in youth, and of which moderation in all
things was the rule. For luxuries he had no taste.
He thought very little about his food ; but when it
was before him, he ate with the vigorous appetite
natural to strong health and very active habits.
When his health failed for a time in Philadelphia,
and he seemed wasting away to a shadow, his physi-
cian recommended tobacco. He found great benefit
from it, and in consequence of the habit then formed
he became an inveterate smoker, and continued so
till he was past seventy years old.
380 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Being out of health for a short time, at that pe-
riod, the doctor told him he thought smoking was not
good for his complaint. He accordingly discontinued
the practice, and formed a resolution not to renew
it. When he recovered, it cost him a good deal of
physical annoyance to conquer the long-settled habit ;
but he had sufficient strength of mind to persevere
in the difficult task, and he never again used tobacco
in any form. Speaking of this to his son Edward,
he said, "The fact is, whoever cures himself of any
selfish indulgence, becomes a better man. It may
seem strange that I should set out to improve at my
age ; but better late than never."
He was eminently domestic in his character.
Perhaps no man ever lived, who better enjoyed
staying at home. He loved to invite his grand-
children, and write them pleasant little notes about
the squirrel-pie, or some other rarity, which he had
in preparation for tliem. He seldom went out of his
own family circle, except on urgent business, or to
attend to some call of humanity. He was always
very attentive in waiting upon his wife to meeting,
or elsewhere, and spent a large portion of his even-
ings in reading to her from the newspapers, or some
book of Travels, or the writings of early Friends.
No man in the country had such a complete Quaker
library. He contrived to pick up every rare old
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 381
volume connected with the history of his sect. He
had a wonderful fondness and reverence for many of
those books. They seemed to stand to him in the
place of old religious friends, who had parted from
his side in the journey of life. There, at least, he
found Quakerism that had not degenerated ; that
breathed the same spirit as of yore.
I presume that his religious opinions resembled
those of Elias Hicks. But 1 judged so mainly from
incidental remarks ; for he regarded doctrines as of
small importance, and considered theology an un-
profitable topic of conversation. Practical righteous-
ness, manifested in the daily affairs of life, was in
his view the sum and substance of religion. The
doctrine of the Atonement never commended itself
to his reason, and his sense of justice was disturbed
by the idea of the innocent suffering for the guilty.
He moreover thought it had a pernicious tendency
for men to rely on an abstract article of faith, to
save them from their sins. With the stern and
gloomy sects, who are peculiarly attracted by the
character of Deity as delineated in the Old Testa-
ment, he had no sympathy. The Infinite One was
ever present to his mind, as a loving Father to all
his children, whether they happened to call him
by the name of Brama, Jehovah, God, or Allah.
He was strongly attached to the forms of Qua-
382
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
kerism, as well as to the principles. It troubled
him, when some of his children changed their mode
of dress, and ceased to say thee and thou. He
groaned when one of his daughters appeared before
him with a black velvet bonnet, though it was ex-
ceedingly simple in construction, and unornamented
by feather or ribbon. She was prepared for this
reception, and tried to reconcile him to the innova-
tion by representing that a white or drab-colored
silk bonnet showed every stain, and was therefore
very uneconomical for a person of active habits.
"Thy good mother was a very energetic woman,"
he replied ; "but she found no difficulty in keeping
her white bonnet as nice as a new pin." His daugh-
ter urged that it required a great deal of trouble to
keep it so ; and that she did not think dress was
worth so much trouble. But his groan was only
softened into a sigh. The fashion of the bonnet his
Sarah had worn, in that beloved old meeting-house
at Woodbury, was consecrated in his memory ; and
to his mind, the outward type also stood for an in-
ward principle. I used to tell him that I found
something truly grand in the original motive for
saying thee and thou ; but it seemed to me that it
had degenerated into a mere hereditary habit, since
the custom of applying you exclusively to superiors
had vanished from the English language. He ad-
mitted the force of this argument ; but he deprecated
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 383
a departure from their old forms, because he con-
sidered it useful, especially to the young, to carry
the cross of being marked and set apart from the
world. But though he was thus strict in what he
required of those who had been educated as Qua-
kers, he placed no barrier between himself and
people of other sects. He loved a righteous man,
and sympathized with an unfortunate one, without
reference to his denomination. In fact, many of his
warmest and dearest friends were not members of his
own religious society.
Early in life he formed an unfavorable opinion of
the effect of capital punishment. His uncle Tatum
considered it a useful moral lesson to take all his
apprentices to hear the tragedy of George Barnwell,
and to witness public executions. On one of these
occasions, he saw five men hung at once. His
habits of shrewd observation soon led him to con-
clude that such spectacles generally had a very har-
dening and bad influence on those who witnessed
them, or heard them much talked about. In riper
years, his mind was deeply interested in the subject,
and he read and reflected upon it a great deal. The
result of his investigations was a settled conviction
that executions did not tend to diminish crime, but
rather to increase it, by their demoralizing effect on
the community. He regarded them with abhor-
3R4
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
rence, as a barbarous custom, entirely out of place
in a civilized country and a Christian age.
Concerning the rights of women, he scarcely
needed any new light from modern theories ; for, as
a Quaker, he had been early accustomed to practical
equality between men and women in all the affairs
of the Society. He had always been in the habit of
listening to them as preachers, and of meeting them
on committees with men, for education, for the care
of the poor, for missions to the Indians, and for
financial regulations. Therefore, it never occurred to
him that there w r as anything unseemly in a woman's
using any gift with which God had endowed her, or
transacting any business, which she had the ability
to do well.
After his removal to New-York, incidents now
and then occurred, which formed pleasant links with
his previous life in Philadelphia. Sometimes slaves,
whom he had rescued many years before, or convicts,
whom he had encouraged to lead a better life, called
to see him and express their gratitude. Sometimes
their children came to bless him. There was one
old colored woman, who never could meet him with-
out embracing him. Although these demonstrations
were not always convenient, and did not partake of
the quiet character of Quaker discipline, he would
never say anything to repress the overflowings of
her warm old heart. As one of his sons passed
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 385
through Bond-street, he saw an old colored man
rubbing his knees, and making the most lively ges-
ticulations of delight. Being asked what was the
matter, he pointed across the street, and exclaimed,
"0, if I was only sure that was Friend Hopper of
Philadelphia ! If I was only sure /" When told
that he was not mistaken, he rushed up to the old
gentleman, threw his arms about his neck, and
hugged him.
When I told him of Julia Pell, a colored Metho-
dist preacher, whose fervid untutored eloquence had
produced an exciting effect on my mind, he invited
her to come and take tea with him. In the course
of conversation, he discovered that she was the
daughter of Zeke, the slave who outwitted his pur-
chaser ; as described in the preceding narratives. It
was quite an interesting event in her life to meet
with the man who had written her father's manumis-
sion papers, while she was in her infancy. When
the parting hour came, she said she felt moved to
pray ; and dropping on her knees, she poured forth
a brief but very earnest prayer, at the close of
which she said : "0 Lord, I beseech thee to shower
down blessings on that good old man, whom thou
hast raised up to do such a blessed work for my
down-trodden people."
Friend Hopper's fund of anecdotes, especially with
regard to colored people, was almost inexhaustible.
17
386 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
He related them with so much animation, that he
was constantly called upon to repeat them, both at
public meetings and in private conversation ; and
they never failed to excite lively interest. Every
stranger, who was introduced to him, tried to draw
him out ; and it was an easy matter ; for he loved to
oblige people, and it is always pleasant for an old
soldier to fight his battles over again. In this readi-
ness to recount his own exploits, there was nothing
that seemed like silly or obtrusive vanity. It often
reminded me of the following just remark in the
Westminster Review, applied to Jeremy Bentham :
"The very egotism in which he occasionally indulged
was a manifestation of a want of self-thought. This
unpopular failing is, after all, one of the characteris-
tics of a natural and simple mind. It requires much
thought about one's self to avoid speaking of one's
self."
It has been already mentioned that Friend Hop-
per passed through a fiery trial in his own religious
society, during the progress of the schism produced
by the preaching of Elias Hicks. Fourteen years
had elapsed since the separation. The "Hicksite"
branch had become an established and respectable
sect. In cities, many of them were largely engaged
in Southern trade. I have heard it stated that mil-
lions of money were thus invested. They retained
sympathy with the theological opinions of Elias
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 387
Hicks, but his rousing remonstrances against slavery-
would have been generally very unwelcome to their
ears. They cherished the names of Anthony Bene-
zet, John Woolman, and a host of other departed
worthies, whose labors in behalf of the colored peo-
ple reflected honor on their Society. But where was
the need of being so active in the cause, as Isaac T.
Hopper was, and always had been ? "The way did
not open" for them to be so active ; and why should
his zeal rebuke their listlessness ? Was it friendly,
was it respectful in him, to do more than his reli-
gious Society thought it necessary to do ? It is as-
tonishing how T troublesome a living soul proves to be,
when they try to shut it up within the narrow limits
of a drowsy sect !
I had a friend in Boston, whose wealthy and aris-
tocratic parents brought him up according to the
most approved model of genteel religion. He learn-
ed the story of the Good Samaritan, and was early
accustomed to hear eulogies pronounced on the holy
Jesus, w 7 ho loved the poor, and associated with the
despised. When the boy became a man he joined
the Anti-Slavery Society, a # nd openly avowed that
he regarded Africans as brethren of the great human
family. His relatives were grieved to see him pur-
suing such an injudicious and disrespectable course.
Whereupon, a witty reformer remarked, " They took
most commendable pains to present Jesus and the
388 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Good Samaritan as models of character, but they
were surprised to find that he had taken them at
their word."
The case was somewhat similar with Isaac T.
Hopper. He had imbibed anti-slavery principles in
full flood at the fountain of Quakerism. Their best
and greatest men were conspicuous as advocates of
those principles. Children were taught to revere
those men, and their testimonies were laid up in
honorable preservation, to be quoted with solemn
formality on safe occasions. Friend Hopper acted
as if these professions were in good earnest ; and
thereby he disturbed his sect, as my Boston friend
troubled his family, when he made practical use ot
their religious teaching.
That many of the modern Quakers should be
blinded by bales of cotton, heaped up between their
souls and the divine light, is not remarkable ; for cot-
ton is an impervious material. But it is a strange
anomaly in their history that any one among them
should have considered himself guided by the Spirit
to undertake the especial mission of discouraging
sympathy with the enslaved. A minister belonging
to that branch of the Society called "Hicksites," who
usually preached in Rose-street Meeting, New- York,
had imbibed very strong prejudices against all modern
reforms : and he manifested his aversion with a de-
gree of excitement, in language, tone, and gesture,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 389
very unusual in that quiet sect. Those who labored
in the cause of temperance, anti-slavery, or non-resis-
tance, he was wont to stigmatize as "hireling lec-
turers," "hireling book-agents," and "emissaries of
Satan." Soon after Thomas Hughes consented
to return to the South, in consequence of the fair
professions of Mr. Darg, this preacher chimed in
with the exulting tones of the pro-slavery press, by
alluding to it in one of his public discourses as fol-
lows. After speaking of the tendency of affliction
to produce humility, he went on to say, "As a slave,
who had suffered the effects of his criminal conduct,
and been thus led to calm reflection, recently chose
to go back with this master into slavery, and endure
all the evils of that condition, notwithstanding his
former experience of them, rather than stay with
those hypocritical workers of popular righteousness
who had interfered in his behalf. For my own part,
I commend his choice. I had a thousand times
rather be a slave, and spend my days with slave-
holders, than to dwell in companionship with abo-
litionists."
The state of things among Quakers in the city of
New-York may be inferred from the fact that this
minister was exceedingly popular, and his style of
preaching cordially approved by a majority of them.
One of the editors of the Anti-Slavery Standard, at
that time, wrote a severe, though by no means abu-
390 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
sive article on the subject, headed "Rare Specimen
of a Quaker Preacher." This gave great offence,
and Isaac T. Hopper was very much blamed for it.
He, and his son-in-law James S. Gibbons, and his
friend Charles Marriott, then belonged to the Exe-
cutive Committee of the Anti Slavery Society ; and
it was assumed to be their duty to have prevented
the publication of the sarcastic article. Charles
Marriot was absent from the city when it was pub-
lished, and Friend Hopper did not see it till after it
was in print. When they urged these facts, and
stated, moreover, that they had no right to dictate
to the editor what he should say, or what he should
not say, they were told that they ought to exculpate
themselves by a public expression of their disappro-
bation. But as they did not believe the editorial ar-
ticle contained any mis-statement of facts, they could
not conscientiously say any thing that would satisfy
the friends of the preacher. It would be tedious to
relate the difficulties that followed. There were
visits from overseers, and prolonged sessions of com-
mittees ; a great deal of talking with the accused,
and still more talking about them. A strong dispo-
sition was manifested to make capital against them
out of the Darg Case. Robert H. Morris, who was
presiding Judge while that case was pending, and
afterward Mayor of New- York, had long known
Friend Hopper, and held him in much respect. When
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 391
he was told that some sought to cast imputations on
his character, he was greatly surprised, and offered
to give favorable testimony in any form that might
be desired. J. R. Whiting, the District Attorney,
expressed the same readiness ; and private misrepre-
sentations were silenced by a published certificate
from them, testifying that throughout the affair
Friend Hopper had merely "exhibited a desire to
procure the money for the master, and the manu-
mission of the slave."
The principal argument brought by Friends, against
their members uniting with Anti-Slavery Societies,
was that they were thus led to mix indiscriminately
with people of other denominations, and brought into
contact with hireling clergymen. There seemed
some inconsistency in this objection, coming from
the mouths of men who belonged to Rail Road Cor-
porations, and Bank Stock Companies, and who
mingled constantly with slaveholders in Southern
trade ; for the early testimonies of the Society were
quite as explicit against slavery, as against a paid
ministry. However, those of their members who
were abolitionists were willing to obviate this objec-
tion, if possible. They accordingly formed an asso-
ciation among themselves, "for the relief of those
held in slavery, and the improvement of the free
people of color." But when this benevolent associa-
tion asked for the use of Rose-street Meeting-house,
392 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
their request was not only refused, but condemned
as disorderly. Affairs were certainly in a very sin-
gular position. Both branches of the Society of
Friends were entirely inert on the subject of slavery.
Both expressed pity for the slave, but both agreed
that "the way did. not open" for them to do any-
thing. If individual members were thus driven to
unite in action with other sects upon a subject which
seemed to them very important, they were called
disorganizers. When they tried to conciliate by
forming an association composed of Quakers only,
they were told that "as the Society of Friends saw
no way to move forward in this concern, such asso-
ciations appeared to reflect upon them " implying
that they failed in discharging their duty as a reli-
gious body. What could an earnest, direct charac-
ter, like Isaac T. Hopper, do in the midst of a sect
thus situated? He proceeded as he always did.
He walked straight forward in what seemed to him
the path of duty, and snapped all the lilliputian
cords with which they tried to bind him.
Being unable to obtain any apology from their of-
fending members, the Society proceeded to adminis-
ter its discipline. A complaint was laid before the
Monthly Meeting of New- York, in which Isaac T.
Hopper, James S. Gibbons, and Charles Marriott,
were accused of "being concerned in the publication
and support of a paper calculated to excite discord
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 393
and disunity among Friends." Friend Hopper pub-
lished a statement, characterised by his usual bold-
ness, and disturbed his mind very little about the re-
sult of their proceedings. April, 1842, he wrote
thus, to his daughter, Sarah H. Palmer, of Philadel-
phia: "During my late indisposition, I was induced
to enter into a close examination of my own heart ;
and I could not find that I stood condemned there
for the part I have taken in the anti-slavery cause,
which has brought upon me so much censure from
(hose 'who know not God, nor his son Jesus Christ.
They profess that they know God, but in works they
deny him.' I have not yet given up our Society as
lost. I still live in the faith that it will see better
days, I often remember the testimony borne by
that devoted and dignified servant of the Lord, Ma-
ry Ritlgeway ; which was to this import: 'The
Lord, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, has gathered
this Society to be a people, and has placed his name
among them ; and He has given them noble testimo-
nies to hold up to the nations ; but if they prove un-
faithful, those testimonies will be given unto others,
who may be compared to the stones of the street ;
and they will wear the crowns that were intended for
this people, who will be cast out, as salt that has
lost its savor.' We may plume ourselves upon be-
ing the children of Abraham, but in the days of sol-
emn inquisition, which surely will come, it will only
17*
394 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
add to our condemnation, because we have not done
the xoorks of Abraham."
"The Yearly Meeting will soon be upon us, when
we shall have a final decision in our cases. I feel
perfectly resigned to the result, be it what it may.
Indeed, I have sometimes thought I should be happi-
er out of the Society than in it. I should feel more
at liberty to ' cry aloud and spare not, to lift up my
voice like a trumpet, and show the people their
transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins,' I
believe no greater benefit could be conferred on the
Society. There are yet many in it who see and de-
plore its departure from primitive uprightness, but
who are afraid to come out as they ought against ihe
evils that prevail in it."
An aged and very worthy Friend in Philadelphia,
named Robert Moore, who deeply sympathized with
the wrongs of colored people, wrote to Friend Hop-
per as follows : "From 1822 to 1827, we had many
interesting conversations in thy little front room,
respecting the distracted state of our Society, and
the efforts made to sustain our much beloved brother
Elias Hicks, against those who were anxious for his
downfall and excommunication. This great excite-
ment grew hotter till the separation in 1827; we
not being able to endure any longer the intolerance
of the party in power. Well, it appears that the
persecuted have now, in their turn, become persecu-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 395
tors ; and those who went through the fire aforetime
are devoted to pass through it again. But, my dear
friend, I hope thou and all who are doomed to suffer
for conscience sake, will stand firm, and not deviate
one inch from what you believe to be your duty.
They may cast you out of the synagogue, which I
fear has become so corrupt that a seat among them
has ceased to be an honor, or in any way desirable ;
but you will pass through the furnace unscathed.
Not a hair of your heads will be singed."
The ecclesiastical proceedings in this case were
kept pending more than a year, I think ; being car-
ried from the Monthly Meeting to the Quarterly, and
thence to the Yearly Meeting. Thirty-six Friends
wore appointed a committee in the Yearly Meeting.
They had six sessions, and finally reported that, af-
ter patient deliberation, they found eighteen of their
number in favor of confirming the decision of the
Quarterly Meeting ; fifteen for reversing it ; and
three who declined giving any judgment in the case.
Upon this report, the Yearly Meeting confirmed the
decision of the inferior tribunals ; and Isaac T. Hop-
per, James S. Gibbons, and Charles Marriott were
excommunicated; in Quaker phrase, disowned.
I thus expressed myself at the time ; and the lapse
of ten years has not changed my view of the case :
Excommunication for such causes will cut off from
the Society their truest, purest, and tenderest spirits.
396 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
There is Isaac T. Hopper, whose life has been one
long chapter of benevolence, an unblotted record of
fair integrity. A man so exclusive in his religious
attachments that the principles of his Society are to
his mind identical with Christianity, and its minutest
forms sacred from innovation. A man whose name
is first mentioned wherever Quakerism is praised, or
benevolence to the slave approved.
There is Charles Marriott, likewise widely known,
and of high standing in the Society ; mild as a lamb,
and tender-hearted as a child ; one to whom conflict
w T ith others is peculiarly painful, but who nevertheless,
when principles are at stake, can say, with the bold-
hearted Luther, " God help me ! I cannot otherwise."
There is James S. Gibbons, a young man, and
therefore less known ; but wherever known, prized
for his extreme kindness of heart, his steadfast hon-
esty of purpose, his undisguised sincerity, and his
unflinching adherence to his own convictions of duty.
A Society has need to be very rich in moral excel-
lence, that can afford to throw away three such
members.
Protests and disclaimers against the disownment
oi these worthy men came from several parts of the
country, signed by Friends of high character ; and
many private letters were addressed to them, ex-
pressive of sympathy and approbation. Friend Hop-
per was always grateful for such marks of respect
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 397
and friendship ; bat his own conscience would have
sustained him without such aid. He had long felt
a deep sadness whenever he was reminded of the
spiritual separation between him and the religious
Society, whose preachers had exerted such salutary
influence on his youthful character ; but the external
separation was of no consequence. He attended
meeting constantly, as he had ever done, and took
his seat on the bench under the preachers' gallery,
facing the audience, where he had always been ac-
customed to sit, when he was an honored member of
the Society. Charles Marriott, who was by tempera-
ment a much meeker man, said to him one day,
"The overseers have called upon me, to represent
the propriety of my taking another seat, under
existing circumstances. I expect they will call upon
thee, to give the same advice."
" I expect they worCt" was Isaac's laconic reply ;
and they never did.
His daughter, Abby H. Gibbons, soon after re-
signed membership in the Monthly Meeting of New-
York for herself and her children ; and his sons
Josiah and John did the same. The grounds stated
were that "the meeting had manifestly departed
from the original principles and testimonies of the
Society of Friends ; that the plainest principles of
civil and religious freedom had been violated in the
whole proceedings in relation to their father; and
39S LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
that the overseers had prepared an official document
calculated to produce false impressions with regard
to him ; accusing him of 'grossly reproachful con-
duct' in the well known Darg Case ; whereas there
was abundant evidence before the public that his
proceedings in that case w r ere influenced by the pu-
rest and most disinterested motives."
The Philadelphia Ledger, after stating that the
Society of Friends in New T -York had disowned some
of their prominent members for being connected,
directly or indirectly, with an Abolition Journal,
added the following remark : " This seems rather
singular ; for we had supposed that Friends were
favorably inclined tow T ard the abolition of slavery.
But many of their members are highly respectable
merchants, extensively engaged in Southern trade.
We are informed that they are determined to dis-
countenance all pragmatic interference w r ith the legal
and constitutional rights of their brethren at the
South. The Quakers have always been distin-
guished for minding their own business, and per-
mitting others to attend to theirs. They w r ould be
the last people to meddle w 7 ith the rights of pro-
perty"
The Boston Times quoted the paragraph from
the Philadelphia Ledger, with the additional remark,
"There is no logician like money."
Whether Friends in New- York felt flattered by
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 399
these eulogiums, I know not ; but they appear to
have been well deserved.
In 1842 and the year following, Friend Hopper
travelled more than usual. In August '42, he visit-
ed his native place, after an absence of twenty years.
He and his wife were accompanied from Philadel-
phia by his son Edward and his daughter Sarah H.
Palmer. Of course, the haunts of his boyhood had
undergone many changes. Panther's Bridge had
disappeared, and Rabbit Swamp and Turkey Cause-
way no longer looked like the same places. He
visited his father's house, then occupied by stran-
gers, and found the ruins of his great-grandfather's
dwelling. Down by the pleasant old creek, shaded
with large walnut trees and cedars, stood the tombs
of many of his relatives ; and at Woodbury were
the graves of his father and mother, and the parents
of his wife. Every spot had something interesting
to say of the past. His eyes brightened, and his
tongue became voluble with a thousand memories.
Had I been present to listen to him then, I should
doubtless have been enabled to add considerably to
my stock of early anecdotes. He seemed to have
brought away from this visit a peculiarly vivid recol-
lection of "poor crazy Joe Gibson." This demented
being was sometimes easily controlled, and willing
to be useful ; at other times, he was perfectly furious
and ungovernable. Few people knew how to man-
400 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
age him ; but Isaac's parents acquired great influence
over him by their uniform system of forbearance and
tenderness ; their own good sense and benevolence
having suggested the ideas which regulate the treat-
ment of insanity at the present period. The day
spent in Woodbury and its vicinity was a bright spot
in Friend Hopper's life, to which he always reverted
with a kind of saddened pleasure. The heat of the
season had been tempered by floating clouds, and
when they returned to Philadelphia, there was a
faint rainbow in the east. He looked lovingly upon
it, and said, "These clouds seem to have followed
us all day, on purpose to make everything more
pleasant."
In the course of the same month he accepted an
invitation to attend the Anti-Slavery Convention at
Norristown, Pennsylvania. His appearance there
was quite an event. Many friends of the cause,
who were strangers to him, were curious to obtain a
sight of him, and to hear him address the meeting.
Charles C. Burleigh, in an eloquent letter to the
Convention, says : " I am glad to hear that Isaac T.
Hopper is to be present. That tried old veteran,
with his eye undimmed, his natural strength unabat-
ed, his resolute look, and calm determined manner,
before which the blustering kidnapper, and the self-
important oppressor have so often quailed ! With
the scars of a hundred battles, and the wreaths of an
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 401
hundred victories in this glorious warfare. With
his example of half a century's active service in this
holy cause, and his still faithful adherence to it,
through evil as well as good report, and in the face
of opposition as bitter as sectarian bigotry can stir
up. Persecution cannot bow the head, which seven-
ty winters could not blanch, nor the terrors of ex-
communication chill the heart, in which age could
not freeze the kindly flow of w T arm philanthropy."
I think it was not long after this excursion that his
sister Sarah came from Maryland to visit him. She
was a pleasant, sensible matron, much respected by
all who knew her. I noted down at the time several
anecdotes of childhood and youth, which bubbled up
in the course of conversations between her and her
brother. In her character the hereditary trait of be-
nevolence was manifested in a form somewhat differ-
ent from his. She had no children of her own, but
she brought up, on her husband's farm, nineteen poor
boys and girls, and gave most of them a trade.
Nearly all of them turned out well.
In the winters of 1842 and '43, Friend Hopper
complied with urgent invitations to visit the Anti-
Slavery Fair, in Boston ; and seldom has a warmer
welcome been given to any man. As soon as he ap-
peared in Amory Hall, he w T as always surrounded
by a circle of lively girls attracted by his frank man-
ners, his thousand little pleasantries, and his keen
402 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
enjoyment of young society. A friend of mine used
to say that when she saw them clustering round
him, in furs and feathered bonnets, listening to his
words so attentively, she often thought it would
make as fine a picture as William Penn explaining
his treaty to the Indians.
Ellis Gray Loring in a letter to me, says : "We
greatly enjoyed Friend Hopper's visit. You cannot
conceive how everybody was delighted with him ;
particularly all our gay young set ; James Russell
Lowell, William W. Story, and the like. The old
gentleman seemed very happy; receiving from all
hands evidence of the true respect in which he is
held." Mrs. Loring, writing to his son John, says :
"We have had a most delightful visit from your fa-
ther. Our respect, wonder, and love for him in-
creased daily. I am sure he must have received
some pleasure, he bestowed so much. We feel his
friendship to be a great acquisition."
Samuel J. May wrote to me : "I cannot tell you
how much I was charmed by my interview with
Friend Hopper. To me, it was worth more than all
the Fair beside. Give my most affectionate respects
to him. He very kindly invited me to make his
house my home when I next come to New- York ;
and I am impatient for the time to arrive, that I may
accept his invitation."
Edmund Quincy, writing to Friend Hopper's
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 403
daughter, Mrs. Gibbons, says: "You cannot thinlc
how glad we were to see the dear old man. He
spent a night with me, to my great contentment, and
that of my wife ; and to the no small edification of
our little boy, to whom breeches and buckles were a
great curiosity. My Irish gardener looked at them
with reverence ; having probably seen nothing so
aristocratic, since he left the old country. I love
those relics of past time. The Quakers were not so
much out, when they censured their members for
turning sans culottes. Think of Isaac T. Hopper in
a pair of pantaloons strapped under his feet ! There
is heresy in the very idea. But, costume apart, we
wore as glad to see Father Hopper, as if he had
been our real father in the flesh. I hope he had a
right good time. If he had not, I am sure it was
not for want of being made much of. I trust his
visits to Boston will grow into one of our domestic
institutions."
In the old gentleman's account of his visit to the
Fair, he says : "I was struck with the extreme pro-
priety with which everything was conducted, and
with the universal harmony and good-will that pre-
vailed among the numerous friends of the cause, who
had collected from all parts of the old Common-
wealth, on this interesting occasion. Many of the
most distinguished citizens were purchasers, and ap-
peared highly gratified, though not connected with
404 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the anti-slavery cause. Lord Morpeth, late Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, attended frequently, made
some presents to the Fair, and purchased several ar-
ticles. 1 would call him by his christian name, if I
knew it; for it is plain enough that he was not bap-
tized, l Lord'. His manners were extremely friendly
and agreeable, and he expressed himself highly
pleased with the exhibition. I had an interesting
conversation with him on the subject of slavery ;
particularly in relation to the Amistad captives, and
the case of the Creole."
"I had an opportunity to make a valuable addition
to my collection of the works of ancient Friends.
On the book-table, I found that rare old volume,
'The Way Cast Up,' written by George Keith,
while in unity with the Society. I took it home
with me to my chamber ; and as I glanced over it,
my mind was moved to a painful retrospect of the
Society of Friends in its original state, when its
members were at liberty to follow the light, as mani-
fested to them in the silence and secrecy of their
own souls. I seemed to see them entering places
appointed for worship by various professors, and
there testifying against idolatry, superstition, and a
mercenary priesthood. I saw them entering the
courts, calling upon judges and lawyers to do jus-
tice. I saw them receive contumely and abuse, as a
reward for these acts of dedication. My imagina-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 405
tion followed them to loathsome dungeons, where
many of them died a lingering death. I saw the
blood trickling from the lacerated backs of innocent
men and women. I saw William Robinson, Marma-
duke Stevenson, Mary Dyer, and William Leddra,
pass through the streets of Boston, pinioned, and
with halters about their necks, on the way to execu-
tion ; yet rejoicing that they were found worthy to
suffer, even unto death, for their fidelity to Christ ;
sustained through those last bitter moments by an
approving conscience and the favor of God.
"I now sec the inhabitants of that same city sur-
passed by none on the globe, for liberality, candor,
and benevolence. I see them taking the lead of
very many of the descendants of the martyrs refer-
red to, in many things, and at an immeasurable dis-
tance. I compared the state of the Society of
Friends in the olden time with what it now is. In
some sections of the country, they, in their turn,
have become persecutors. Not with dungeons, hal-
ter, and fire ; for those modes of punishment have
gone by ; but by ejecting their members from reli-
gious fellowship, and defaming their characters for
doing that which they conscientiously believe is re-
quired at their hands ; casting out their names as
evil-doers for honestly endeavoring to support one of
the most dignified testimonies ever given to the So-
ciety of Friends to hold up before a sinful world.
406 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
These reflections pained me deeply ; for all the con-
victions of my soul, and all my early religious recol-
lections, bind me fast to the principles of Friends ;
and I cannot but mourn to see how the world has
shorn them of their strength. I spent nearly a
sleepless night, and was baptized with my tears."
"In the morning, my mind was in some degree re-
assured with the hope that there are yet left, through-
out the land, 'seven thousand in Israel, all the knees
which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth
which has not kissed him ;' and that among these
shall yet 'arise judges, as at the first, and counsel-
lors, and lawgivers, as in the beginning.' My soul
longeth for the coming of that day, more than for
the increase of corn, and wine, and oil."
In the Spring of 1843, Friend Hopper visited
Rhode Island, and Bucks County, in Pennsylvania,
to address the people in behalf of the enslaved. He
was accompanied by Lucinda Wilmarth, a very in-
telligent and kind-hearted young person, who some-
times spoke on the same subject. After she returned
to her home in Massachusetts, she wrote as follows,
to the venerable companion of her mission ; "Dear
Father Hopper, I see by the papers that Samuel
Johnson has gone home. I well remember our call
upon him, on the second Sunday morning of our so-
journ in that land of roses. I also remember his ra-
diant and peaceful countenance, which told of a life
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 407
well spent, and of calm and hopeful anticipations of
the future. I love to dwell upon my visit to Penn-
sylvania. I never saw happier or more lovely
homes. Never visited dwellings where those little
household divinities, goodness, order, and cheerful-
ness, held more universal sway I was enabled to
view men and things from an entirely new point of
view. I had previously seen nothing of Quakerism,
except in a narrow orthodox form, with which I had
no sympathy. I was much pleased with the appa-
rent freedom and philanthropy of the Friends I met
there. I know not whether it w T as their peculiar ism,
that made them so comparatively free and liberal.
Perhaps I unconsciously assigned to their Quaker-
ism what merely belonged to their manhood. But
the fact is, they came nearer to realizing the ideal of
Quakerism, associated in my mind with Fox and
Penn, than any people I have ever seen.
"I stopped at Providence on my way home. As
soon as I entered Isaac Hale's door, little Alice be-
gan to skip with joy, as she did that day when we
returned so unexpectedly to dine ; but the next mo-
ment, she looked down the stair-case, and exclaimed
in a most anxious tone, 'Why did'nt Grandfather
Hopper come ? What did you come alone for ?
What shall I do V On mv arrival home, the first
noisy greetings of my little brothers and sisters had
scarcely subsided, before they began to inquire,
408 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
'Why did'nt your other father come, too?' They
complained that you had not written a single ' Tale
of Oppression' for the Standard since you were here.
But a week after, my little sister came running with
an open newspaper in her hand, exclaiming, ' Father
Hopper has made another story !' She has named
her doll for your little granddaughter, Lucy Gib-
bons, because you used to talk about her ; and every
day she reads the book you gave her."
Friend Hopper found great satisfaction in the pe-
rusal of the above letter, not only on account of his
great regard for the writer, but because many of the
Friends in Bucks County were the delight of his
heart. He was always telling me that if I wanted
to see the best farms, the best Quakers, and the
most comfortable homes in the world, I must go to
Bucks County. In his descriptions, it was a bloom-
ing land of peace and plenty, approaching as near
to an earthly paradise, as could be reasonably ex-
pected.
At the commencement of 1845, the American
Anti-Slavery Society made some changes in their
office at New-York, by which the duties of editor
and treasurer, were performed by the same person ;
consequently Friend Hopper's services were no
longer needed. When he retired from the office
he had held during four vears, the Society unani-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 409
mously voted him thanks for the fidelity with which
he had discharged the duties entrusted to him.
At that time, several intelligent and benevolent
gentlemen in the city of New- York were much in-
terested in the condition of criminals discharged
from prisons, without money, without friends, and
with a character so blasted, that it was exceedingly
difficult to procure employment. However sincerely
desirous such persons might be to lead a better life,
it seemed almost impossible for them to carry their
good resolutions into practice. The inconsiderate
harshness of society forced them back into dishonest
courses, even when it was contrary to their own
inclinations. That this was a fruitful source of
crime, and consequently a great increase of expense
to the state, no one could doubt who candidly ex-
amined the subject. To meet the wants of this
class of sufferers, it was proposed to form a Prison
Association, whose business it 'should be to inquire
into individual cases, and extend such sympathy and
assistance as circumstances required. This subject
had occupied .Friend Hopper's mind almost as early
as the wrongs of the slave. He attended the meet-
ings, and felt a lively interest in the discussions, in
which he often took part. The editor of the New-
York Evening Mirror, alluding to one of these occa-
sions, says : " When Mr. Hopper rose to offer some
remarks, we thought the burst of applause which
18
410 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
greeted the quaint old man, (in the very costume of
Franklin) was a spontaneous homage to goodness ;
and we thanked God and took courage for poor
human nature."
His well-known benevolence, his peculiar tact in
managing wayward characters, his undoubted integ-
rity, and his long experience in such matters, natu-
rally suggested the idea that he was more suitable
than any other person to be Agent of the Association.
It was a situation extremely well-adapted to his
character, and if his limited circumstances would
have permitted, he would have been right glad to
have discharged its duties gratuitously. He named
three hundred dollars a year, as sufficient addition
to his income, and the duties were performed with
as much diligence and zeal, as if the recompence
had been thousands. Although he was then seven-
ty-four years old, his hand-writing was firm and
even, and very legible. He kept a Diary of every
day's transactions, and a Register of all the dis-
charged convicts who applied for assistance ; with
a monthly record of such information as could
be obtained of their character and condition, from
time to time. The neat and accurate manner in
which these books were kept was really surprising
in so old a man. The amount of walking he did, to
attend to the business of the Association, was like-
wise remarkable. Not one in ten thousand, who
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 411
had lived so many years, could have endured so
much fatigue.
In his labors in behalf of this class of unfortunate
people he was essentially aided by Abby H. Gibbons,
who resided nearer to him than his other daughters,
and who had the same affectionate zeal to sustain
him, that she had manifested by secretly slipping a
portion of her earnings into his pocket, in the days
of her girlhood. She was as vigilant and active in
behalf of the women discharged from prison, as her
father was in behalf of the men. Through the exer-
tions of herself and other benevolent women, an asy-
lum for these poor outcasts, called The Home, was
established and sustained. Friend Hopper took a
deep interest in that institution, and frequently went
there on Sunday evening, with his wife and daugh-
ters, to talk with the inmates in a manner most likely
to soothe and encourage them. They were accus-
tomed to call him " Father Hopper," and always
came to him for advice when they were in trouble.
When the Prison Association petitioned to be in-
corporated, it encountered a great deal of opposition,
on the ground that it would be likely to interfere
with the authority of the State over prisons. During
two winters, Friend Hopper went to Albany fre-
quently to sustain the measure. He commanded
respect and attention, by the good sense of his re-
marks, his dignified manner, and readiness of utter-
412 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ance. The Legislature were more inclined to have
confidence in him, because he was known to be a
benevolent, conscientious Quaker, entirely uncon-
nected with party politics. In fact, the measure
was carried mainly by the exertion of his personal
influence. He sustained the petition of the Associa-
tion in a speech before the Legislature, which excit-
ed much attention, and made a deep impression on
those who heard it. Judge Edmonds, who was one
of the speakers on the same occasion, often alluded
to it as a remarkable address. He said, "It elicited
more applause, and did more to carry the end in
view, than anything that was said by more practised
public speakers. His eloquence was simple and di-
rect, but most effective. If he was humorous, his
audience were full of laughter ; if solemn, a death-
like stillness reigned ; if pathetic, tears flowed all
around him. He seemed unconscious of his power
in this respect, but I have heard him many times be-
fore large assemblies at our Anniversaries, and in the
chapel of the State Prison, and I have been struck,
over and over again, with the remarkable sway he
had over the minds of those whom he addressed."
The business of the Association made it necessary
for Friend Hopper to visit that city many times after-
ward. He came to be so well known there, and
was held in such high respect, that whenever he
made his appearance in the halls of legislation, the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 413
Speaker sent a messenger to invite him to take a
seat near his own.
He often applied to the Governor to exert his par-
doning power, where he thought there were miti-
gating circumstances attending the commission of a
crime ; or where the mind and health of a prisoner
seemed breaking down ; or where a long course of
£Ood conduct seemed deserving of reward. When
Governor Young had become sufficiently acquainted
with him to form a just estimate of his character, he
said to him, " Friend Hopper, J will pardon any con-
vict, whom you say you conscientiously believe I
ought to pardon. If I err at all, I prefer that it
should be on the side of mercy. But so many cases
press upon my attention, and it is so difficult to
examine them all thoroughly, that it is a great relief
to find a man in whose judgment and integrity I
have such perfect confidence, as I have in yours.''
On the occasion of one of these applications for
mercy, the following quaint correspondence passed
between him and the Governor :
" Esteemed Friend,
John Young :
Thou mayst think this mode
of address rather too familiar ; but as it is the spon-
taneous effusion of my heart, and entirely congenial
with my feelings, I hope thou wilt hold me excused.
Permit me to embrace this opportunity to con-
414 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
gratulate thee upon thy accession to the office of
Chief Magistrate of the State. I have confidence its
duties will be faithfully performed. I rejoice that
thou hast had independence enough to restore to
liberty, and to their families, those infatuated men
called Anti-Renters. Some, who live under the old
dispensation, that demanded 'an eye for an eye, and
a tooth for a tooth,' will doubtless censure this act
of justice and mercy. But another class will be
glad ; those who have embraced the Christian faith,
and live under the benign influence of its spirit,
which enjoins forgiveness of injuries. The approba-
tion of such, accompanied with an approving con-
science, will, I trust, more than counterbalance any
censure that may arise on the occasion.
The object I particularly have in view in address-
ing thee now, is, to call thy attention to the case of
Allen Lee, who was sentenced to twelve years' im-
prisonment for horse-stealing, in Westchester Coun-
ty. He has served for eleven years and two months
of that time. It is his first offence, and he has con-
ducted well during his confinement. His health is
much impaired, and he has several times had a slight
haemorrhage of the lungs. Allen's father was a regu-
lar teamster in the army during all the revolutionary
war. Though poor, he has always sustained a fair
reputation. He is now ninety years old, and he is
extremely anxious to behold the face of his son.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 415
Permit me, most respectfully, but earnestly, to ask
thy early attention to this case. The old man is
confined, to his bed, and so low, that he cannot con-
tinue many weeks. Unless Allen is very soon re-
leased, there is no probability that he will ever see
him. I have no self-interested motives in this mat-
ter, but am influenced solely by considerations of
humanity. With sincere desires for thy health and
happiness, I am very respectfully thy friend,
"Isaac T. Hopper."
Governor Young promptly replied as follows.
"My worthy friend, Isaac T. Hopper,
"I have often thought of thee since we last
met. I have received thy letter ; and because thou
hast written to me, and because I know that what
thou writest is always truth, and that the old man,
before he lays him down to die, may behold the face
of his son, I will restore Allen to his kindred. When
thou comest to Albany, I pray thee to come and see
me. Very respectfully thy friend, John Young."
The monitor within frequently impelled Friend
Hopper to address the assembled convicts at Sing
Sing, on Sunday. The officers of the establishment
were very willing to open the way for him ; for ac-
cording to the testimony of Mr. Harman Eldridge,
the warden, "With all his kindness, and the en-
couragement he was always ready to give, he was
guarded and cautious in the extreme, that nothing
410 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
should be said to conflict with the discipline of the
prison." His exhortations rendered the prisoners
more docile, and stimulated them to exertion by keep-
ing hope alive in their hearts. On such occasions, I
have been told that a large portion of his unhappy
audience were frequently moved to tears ; and the
warmth of their grateful feelings was often mani-
fested by eagerly pressing forward to shake hands
with him, whenever they received permission to do
so. The friendly counsel he gave on such occasions
sometimes produced a permanent effect on their
characters. In a letter to his daughter Susan, he
says: "One of these poor fellows attacked the life
of the keeper, and I soon after had a private inter-
view with him. He received what I said kindly, but
declared that he could not govern his temper. He
said he had no ill-will toward the keeper ; that what
he did was done in a gust of passion, and he could
not help it. I tried to convince him that he had
power to control his temper, if he would only exer-
cise it. A year and a half afterward, on First Day,
after meeting, he asked permission to speak to me.
He then told me he was convinced that what I had
said to him was true ; for he had not given way to
anger since I talked to him on the subject. He
showed me many certificates from the keepers, all
testifying to his good conduct. I hardly ever saw a
man more changed than he is."
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 417
I often heard my good old friend describe these
scenes in the Prison Chapel, with much emotion.
He used to say, the feeling- of confidence and safety
which prevailed, was sometimes presented to his
mind in forcible contrast with the state of things in
Philadelphia, in 1787, as related by his worthy
friend, Dr. William Rogers, who was on the commit-
tee of the first Society formed in this country "for
relieving the. miseries of public prisons." That
kind-hearted and conscientious clergyman proposed
to address some religious exhortation to the prison-
ers, on Sunday. But the keeper was so unfriendly
to the exertion of such influence, that he assured
him his life would be in peril, and the prisoners
would doubtless escape, to rob and murder the citi-
zens. When an order was granted by the sheriff for
the performance of religious services, he obeyed it
very reluctantly ; and he actually had a loaded cannon
mounted near the clergyman, and a man standing
ready with a lighted match all the time he was
preaching. His audience were arranged in a solid
column, directly in front of the cannon's mouth.
This is supposed to have been the first sermon ad-
dressed to the assembled inmates of a State Prison
in this country.
Notwithstanding Friend Hopper's extreme benevo-
lence, he was rarely imposed upon. He made it a
rule to give very little money to discharged convicts.
18*
418 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
He paid their board till employment could be obtain-
ed, and when they wished to go to their families, in
distant places, he procured free passage for them in
steamboats or cars ; which his influence with cap-
tains and conductors enabled him to do very easily.
If they wanted to work at a trade, he purchased
tools, and hired a shop, when circumstances seemed
to warrant such expenditure. After they became
well established in business, they were expected to
repay these loans, for the benefit of others in the
same unfortunate condition they had been. Of
course, some who expected to receive money when-
ever they told a pitiful story, were disappointed and
vexed by these prudential regulations. Among the
old gentleman's letters, I find one containing these
expressions : " When I heard you talk in the Prison
Chapel, I thought there was something for the man
that had once left the path of honesty to hope for
from his fellow-men ; but I find that I was greatly
mistaken. You are men of words. You can do the
wind-work first rate. But when a man wants a lit-
tle assistance to get work, and get an honest living,
you are not there. Now I wish to know where
your philanthropy is."
But such instances were exceptions. As a general
rule, gratitude was manifested for the assistance ren-
dered in time of need ; though it was always limited
to the urgent necessities of the case. One day,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 419
the following letter, enclosing a dollar bill for the
Association, was addressed to Isaac T. Hopper :
"Should the humble mite here enclosed be the
means of doing one-sixteenth part the good to any
poor convict that the sixteenth of a dollar has done
for me, which I received through your hands more
than once, when I was destitute of money or friends,
then I shall have my heart's desire. With the bless-
ing of God, I remain your most humble debtor."
From the numerous cases under Friend Hopper's
care, while Agent of the Prison Association, I will
select a few ; but I shall disguise the names, because
the individuals are living, and I should be sorry to
wound their feelings by any unnecessary exposure of
past delinquences.
C. R. about twenty-nine years old, called at the
office, and said he had been lately released from
Moyamensing prison ; having been sentenced for two
years, on account of selling stolen goods. When
Friend Hopper inquired whether it was his first of-
fence, he frankly answered, "No. I have been in
Sing Sing prison twice for grand larceny. I served
five years each time."
"Thou art still very young," rejoined Friend Hop-
per; "and it seems a large portion of thy life has
been spent in prison. I am afraid thou art a bad
man. But I hope thou seest the error of thy ways,
420 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
and art now determined to do better. Hast thou any
friends ?"
He replied, " I have a mother ; a poor hard-work-
ing woman, who sells fruit and candies in the streets.
If you will give me a start, I will try to lead an
honest life henceforth ; for I want to be a comfort
and support to her. I have no other friend in the
world, and nobody to help me. When I left prison,
I was advised to come to you. I am a shoemaker ;
and if I had money to buy a set of tools, I would
work at my trade, and take care of my mother."
Necessary tools were procured for him, and he
seemed very grateful ; saying it was the first time in
his life that he had found any one willing to help
him to be honest, when he came out of prison.
Great doubts were entertained of the success of this
case ; because the man had been so many times con-
victed. But he occasionally called at the office, and
always appeared sober and respectable. A few
months after his first introduction, he sent Friend
Hopper a letter from Oswego, enclosing seven dol-
lars for his mother. He immediately delivered it,
and returned with a cheerful heart to enter it on his
Record ; adding, " The poor old woman was much
pleased that her son remembered her, and said she
believed he was now going to do well."
After that, C. R. frequently sent five or ten dol-
lars to his mother, through the same channel, and
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 421
paid her rent punctually. He refunded all the mo-
ney the Association had lent him, and made some
small donations, in token of gratitude. Having be-
haved in a very exemplary manner during four years
and a half, Friend Hopper, at his earnest request,
applied to the Governor to have all the rights of citi-
zenship restored to him. This was readily obtained
by a full and candid statement of the case. It is
entered on the Record, with this remark: "C. R.
has experienced a wonderful change for the better
since he first called upon us. He said he should al-
ways remember the kindness that had been extended
to him, and hoped he should never do anything to
make us regret it."
He afterward opened a store, with a partner, and
up to this present time, is doing well, both in a moral
and worldly point of view. Five years and a half
after he began to reform, Dr. Russ, of New- York,
sent a discharged prisoner to him, in search of work.
He wrote in reply, as follows: "I have obtained
good employment for the bearer of your note ; and
it gives me much pleasure at my heart to do some-
thing for him that wishes to do well. So leave him
to me ; and I trust you will be gratified to know the
end of charity from a discharged convict." A week
elapsed before the man could enter on his new em-
ployment ; and C. R. paid his board during that
time.
422 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
A person, whom I will call Michael Stanley, was
sentenced to Sing Sing- for two years ; being con-
victed of grand larceny when he was about twenty-
two years old. When his term expired, he called
upon the Prison Association, and obtained assistance
in procuring employment. He endeavored to estab-
lish a good character, and was so fortunate as to gain
the affections of a very orderly, industrious young
woman, whom he soon after married. In his Regis-
ter, Friend Hopper thus describes a visit to them,
little more than a year after he was discharged from
prison: "I called yesterday to visit M. S. He
lives in the upper part of a brick house, nearly new.
His wife is a neat, likely-looking woman, and ap-
pears to be a nice housekeeper. Everything about
the premises indicates frugality, industry, and com-
fort. They have plain, substantial furniture, and a
good carpet on the floor. Before their door is a
grass-plot, and the margin of the fence is lined with
a variety of plants in bloom. He and his wife, and
her mother, manifested much gratification at my vi-
sit."
In little more than two years after he began to re-
trieve the early mistakes of his life, M. S. establish-
ed a provision shop on his own account, in the city
of New-York, and was successful. He and his tidy
little wife called on Friend Hopper, from time to
time, and always cheered his heart by their respecta-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 423
ble appearance, and the sincere gratitude they mani-
fested. The following record stands in the Regis-
ter : "M. S. called at my house, and spent an hour
with me. He is a member of the Society of Metho-
dists, and I really believe he is a reformed man. It
is now more than four years and a half since he was
released from Sing Sing ; and his conduct has ever
since been unexceptionable."
Another young man, whom I w T ill call Hans Over-
ton, was the son of very respectable parents, but un-
fortunately he formed acquaintance with unprinci-
pled men when he was too young and inexperienced
to be a judge of character. Being corrupted by
their influence, he forged a check on a bank in Alba-
ny. He was detected, and sentenced to the State
Prison for two years. When he was released, at
twenty-two years of age, he did the best he could to
efface the blot on his reputation. But after having
obtained respectable employment, he was discharged
because his employer was told he had been in prison.
He procured another situation, and the same thing
again occurred. He began to think there was no
use in trying to redeem his lost character. In this
discouraged state of mind, he applied to the Prison
Association for assistance. Inquiries were made of
the two gentlemen in whose employ he had been
more than a year. They said they had found him
capable, industrious, and faithful ; and their distrust
424 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
of him was founded solely on the fact of his being a
discharged convict. For some time, he obtained on-
ly temporary employment, now and then ; and the
Association lent him. small sums of money whenever
his necessities required. At one time, he was charg-
ed with being an accomplice in a larceny ; but upon
investigation, it was ascertained that he had become
mixed, up with an affair, which made him appear to
disadvantage, though he had no dishonest intentions
in relation to it. Finally, through the influence of
the Association he obtained a situation, in a drug
store. His employer was fully informed concerning
his previous history, but was willing to take him on
trial. He remained there five years, and conducted
in the most exemplary manner. Having married
meanwhile, he was desirous to avail himself of an
opportunity to obtain a higher salary ; and the drug-
gist very willingly testified that his conduct had been
entirely satisfactory during the time he had been
with him. But in about eight months, his new em-
ployer discovered that he had been in prison, and he
immediately told him he had better procure some
other situation ; though he acknowledged that he
had no fault to find w r ith him. Friend Hopper
sought an interview with this gentleman and repre-
sented the youthfulness of H. 0. at the time he com-
mitted the misdemeanor, which had so much injured
the prospects of his life. He urged his subsequent
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 425
good conduct, and the apparent sincerity of his ef-
forts to build up a reputation for honesty. He final-
ly put the case home to him, by asking how he
would like to have others conduct toward a son of
his own, under similar circumstances. It was a
point of view from which the gentleman had never
before considered the question, and his mind was
somewhat impressed by it ; but his prejudices were
not easily overcome. Meanwhile, the druggist was
very willing to receive the young man back again ;
and he returned. It seems as if it would have been
almost impossible for him to have avoided sinking in-
to the depths of discouragement and desperation, if
he had not received timely assistance from the Prison
Association. How highly he appreciated their aid
may be inferred from the following letter to Isaac T.
Hopper :
" My dear friend, as business prevents me from see-
ing you in the day-time, I take this method to express
my thanks for the noble and generous mention made
of me in your remarks before the Association ; which
remarks were as pleasant and exciting to me, as they
were unexpected. I need scarcely assure you, my
kind and generous friend, (generous not only to so
humble an individual as myself, but to all your fel-
low creatures,) that it is out of my power to find
words to thank you adequately, or to express my
feelings on that occasion. I was the more gratified
426 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
because my dear wife was present with me, and also
my brother-in-law. Oh, what a noble work the So-
ciety is engaged in. My most fervent prayer is that
your name may remain on its list for many years to
come. Then indeed should I have no fears for those
poor unfortunates, whose first unthinking error pla-
ces them unconditionally within the miasma of vice
and crime. That you may enjoy a very merry
Christmas, and many happy New-Years, is the sin-
cere desire of my wife and myself."
T. B., who has been for several years in the em-
ploy of the Association, was raised by their aid from
the lowest depths of intemperance, and has become
a highly respectable and useful citizen.
J. M., who was in Sing Sing Prison four years, for
grand larceny, was aided by the Association at vari-
ous times, and always repaid the money precisely at
the appointed day. His industry and skilful man-
agement excited envy and jealousy in some, who had
less faculty for business. They taunted him with
having been a convict, and threw all manner of ob-
stacles in the way of his making an honest living.
Among other persecutions, a suit at law was institut-
ed against him, which cost him seventy-five dollars.
The charge was entirely without foundation, and
when brought before the court, was promptly dis-
missed. It is now about six years since J. M. re-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 427
solved to retrieve his character, and he still perse-
veres in the right course.
Ann W. was an illegitimate child, and early left
an orphan. She went to live with an aunt, who kept
a boarding-house in Albany. According to her own
account, she was harshly treated, and frequently
taunted with the circumstances of her birth. At the
early age of fourteen, one of the boarders offered to
marry her, and induced her to leave the house with
him. She lived with him some time, always urging
the fulfilment of his promise ; and at last he pacified
her by going to a person, who performed the mar-
riage-ceremony. She was strongly attached to him,
and being a capable, industrious girl, she kept every-
thing nice and bright about their lodgings. He
pretended to have a great deal of business in New-
York ; but in fact his frequent visits to that city
were for purposes of gambling. On one of those
occasions, when he had been absent much longer
than usual, she followed him, and found him living
with another woman. He very coolly informed her
that the marriage-ceremony between them was a
mere sham ; the person who performed it not having
been invested with any legal authority. Thus be-
trayed, deserted, and friendless, the poor young
creature became almost frantic. In that desperate
state of mind, she was decoyed by a woman, who
kept a disreputable house. A short career of reck-
428 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER,
less frivolity and vice ended, as usual, in the hospital
on BlackwelPs Island. When she was discharged,
she tried to drown her sorrow and remorse in intem-
perance, and went on ever from bad to worse, till
she became a denizen of Five Points. In her brief
intervals of sobriety, she was thoroughly disgusted
with herself, and earnestly desired to lead a better
life. Being turned into the street one night, in a
state of intoxication, she went to the prison called
The Tombs, because its architecture is in imitation
of the ancient sepulchral halls of Egypt. She hum-
bly asked permission to enter this gloomy abode, in
hopes that some of the ladies connected with the
Prison Association would visit her, and find some
decent employment for her. Her case being repre-
sented to Friend Hopper, he induced his wife to
take her into the family, as a domestic. As soon as
she entered the house, she said, "I don't want to
deceive you. I will tell you everything." And she
told all the particulars of her history, without at-
tempting to veil any of its deformity. She was very
industrious, and remarkably tidy in her habits. She
kept the kitchen extremely neat, and loved to deco-
rate it with little ornaments, especially with flowers.
Poor shattered soul ! Who can tell into what blos-
som of poetry that little germ might have expanded,
if it had been kindly nurtured under gentle and re-
fining influences ? She behaved very well for several
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 429
months, and often expressed gratitude that she could
now feel as if she had a home. Friend Hopper took
great interest in her, and had strong hopes that she
would become a respectable woman. Before a year
expired, she relapsed into intemperate habits for a
time ; but he overlooked it, and encouraged her to
forget it. As she often expressed a great desire to
see her cousins in Albany, he called upon them, and
told the story of her reformation. They sent some
little presents, accompanied with friendly messages,
and after a while invited her to visit them. For a
time, it seemed as if the excursion had done her
good, both physically and mentally ; but the sight of
respectable relatives, with husbands and children,
made her realize more fully the utter loneliness of
her own position. She used opium in large quanti-
ties, and had dreadful fits in consequence. Some-
times, she stole out of the house in the evening, and
was taken up by the police in a state of intoxication.
When she recovered her senses, she would be very
humble, and during an interval of weeks, or months,
would make an effort to behave extremely well. I
forget how. often Friend Hopper received her back,
after she had spent the night in the Station House ;
but it was many, many times. His patience held
out long after everybody else was completely weary.
She finally became so violent and ungovernable, and
endangered the household so much in her frantic tits,
430 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
that even he fe]t the necessity of placing her under
the restraining influences of some public institution.
The Magdalen Asylum at Philadelphia consented to
receive her, and after much exhortation, she was
persuaded to go. While she was there, his daughters
in that city called on her occasionally, at his request,
and he and his wife made her a visit. He wrote to
her frequently, in the kindest and most encouraging
manner. In one of these epistles, he says: "I make
frequent inquiries concerning thee, and am generally
told thou art getting along pretty well. Now I want
to hear a different tale from that. I want thy
friends at the Asylum to be able to say, 'She is
doing exceedingly well. Her health is good, she is
satisfied with her condition, and we are all much
gratified to find that she submits to the advice of her
friends. , When they can speak thus of thee, I shall
begin to think about changing thy situation. The
woman who fills thy place in my family does very
well. Every day, she puts on the table the mug
thou gavest me, and she keeps it as bright as silver.
Our little garden looks beautiful. The Morning
Glories, thou used to take so much pleasure in,
have grown finely. All the family desire kind re-
membrances. Farewell. May peace and comfort
be with thee."
In another letter, he says : " Thy Heavenly Father
has been kind, and waited long for thee; and He has
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 431
now provided a way for thy redemption from the
bondage under which thou hast suffered so much. I
hope thou wilt not think of leaving the Asylum for
some time to come. Thou canst not be so firmly
established yet, as not to be under great temptation
elsewhere. What a sorrowful circumstance it would
be, if thou shouldst again return to the filthy and
wicked habit of stupifying thyself with that per-
nicious drug ! I am glad thou hast determined to
take my advice. If thou wilt do so, I will never
forsake thee. I will do all I can for thee ; and thou
shalt never be without a home."
Again he writes : "Thy letter occasioned joy and
sorrow. Sorrow to find thou hast not always treated
the matron as thou oughtest to have done. I am
sure that excellent person is every way worthy of
thy regard ; and I hope my ears will never again be
pained by hearing that thou hast treated her un-
kindly or disrespectfully. I did hope that after a
year's discipline, thou hadst learned to control thy
temper. Until thou canst do so, thou must be
aware that thou art not qualified to render thyself
useful or agreeable in any family. But after all, I
am glad to find that thou art sensible of thy error,
and hast a disposition to improve. When thou
liest down at night, I want thee to examine the
deeds of the past day. If thou hast made a hasty
reply, or spoken impertinently, or done wrong in any
432 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
other way, be careful to acknowledge thy fault.
Ask thy Heavenly Father to forgive thee, and be
careful to do so no more. I feel a great regard for
thee ; and I trust thou wilt never give me cause to
regret thy relapse into vice. I hope better things
for thee, and I always shall."
But his hopefulness and patience proved of no
avail in this instance. The wreck was too complete
to admit of repair. The poor creature occasionally
struggled hard to do better ; but her constitution
was destroyed by vice and hardship ; her feelings
were blunted by suffering, and her naturally bright
faculties were stupified by opium. After she left the
Asylum, she lived with a family in the country for
awhile ; but the old habits returned, and destroyed
what little strength she had left. The last I knew
of her she was on Blackwell's Island ; and she will
probably never leave it, till she goes where the weary
are at rest.
An uncommon degree of interest was excited in
Friend Hopper's mind by the sufferings of another
individual, whom I will call Julia Peters. She was
born of respectable parents, and was carefully tended
in her early years. Her mother was a prudent, re-
ligious-minded woman ; but she died when Julia was
twelve years old. The father soon after took to
drinking and gambling, and spent all the property he
possessed. His daughter was thus brought into the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 433
midst of profligate associates, at an age when im-
pulses are strong, and the principles unformed. She
led a vicious life for several years, and during a fit
of intoxication married a worthless, dissipated fellow.
When she was eighteen years old, she was im-
prisoned for perjury. The case appeared doubtful
at the time, and from circumstances, which after-
ward came to light, it is supposed that she was not
guilty of the alleged crime. The jury could not
agree on the first trial, and she remained in jail two
years, awaiting a decision of her case. She was at
last pronounced guilty ; and feeling that injustice
was done her, she made use of violent and disre-
spectful language to the court. This probably in-
creased the prejudice against her ; for she was sen-
tenced to Sing Sing prison for the long term of four-
teen years. She was naturally intelligent, active and
energetic ; and the limitations of a prison had a
worse effect upon her, than they would have had on
a more stolid temperament. In the course of a year
or wo, her mind began to sink under the pressure,
and finally exhibited signs of melancholy insanity.
Friend Hopper had an interview with her soon after
she was conveyed to Sing Sing, and found her in a
state of deep dejection. She afterward became com-
pletely deranged, and was removed to the Lunatic
Asylum at Bloomingdale. He and his wife visited
her there, and found her in a state of temporary
It)
434 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
rationality. Her manners were quiet and pleasing,
and she appeared exceedingly gratified to see them.
The superintendent granted permission to take her with
them in a walk through the grounds, and she enjoyed
this little excursion very highly. But when one of
the company remarked that it was a very pleasant
place, she sighed deeply, and replied, "Yes, it is a
pleasant place to those who can leave it. But chains
are chains, though they are made of gold ; and mine
grow heavier every day."
Her temperament peculiarly required freedom, and
chafed and fretted under restraint. Insanity returned
upon her with redoubled force, soon after. She used
blasphemous and indecent language, and cut up her
blankets to make pantaloons. She picked the lock
of her room, and tried various plans of escape.
When Friend Hopper went to see her again, some
weeks later, he found her in the masculine attire,
which she had manufactured. She tried to hide
herself, but when he called her back in a gentle, J^ut
h(
firm tone, she came immediately. He took her
kindly by the hand, and said, "Julia, what does all
this mean?"
"It is military costume, 5 ' she replied. "I am an
officer of state."
"I am sorry thou art not more decently clad,"
said he. "I intended to have thee take a walk with
me ; but I should be ashamed to go with thee in
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 435
that condition." She earnestly entreated to go, and
promised to change her dress immediately. He
accordingly waited till she was ready, and then
spent more than an hour walking round the grounds
with her. She told him the history of her life, and
wrpt bitterly over the retrospect of her erroneous
course. It seemed a great relief to have some one
to whom she could open her over-burdened heart.
She was occasionally incoherent, but the fresh air
invigorated her, and the quiet talk soothed her per-
turbed feelings. At parting, she said, "I thank you.
I thought I had n't a friend in the world. I was
afraid everybody had forgotten me."
"I am thy sincere friend," he replied; "and I
promise that I will never forget thee."
1 make the following extract from a letter, which
he wrote to her soon after: "Now, Julia, listen to
me, and mind what I say ; for thou knowest I am
thy friend. I want thee, at all times, and upon all
occasions, to be very careful of thy conduct. Never
suffer thyself to use vulgar or profane language. It
would grieve me, and I am sure thou dost not wish
to do that. Besides, it is very degrading, and very
wicked. Be discreet, sober, and modest. Be kind,
courteous, and obliging to all. Thou wilt make
many friends by so doing, and wilt feel more cheer-
ful and happy thyself. Do be a lady. I know thou
canst, if thou wilt. More than all, I want thee to be
436 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
a Christian. I sympathize with thee, and intend to
come and see thee soon."
Dr. Earle, physician of the Asylum, said the letter
had a salutary effect upon her. Friend. Hopper
went out to see her frequently, and was often ac-
companied by his wife, or daughters. Her bodily
and mental health continued to improve ; and in the
course of five or six months, the doctor allowed her
to accompany her kind old friend, to the city, and
spend a day and night at his house. This change of
scene was found so beneficial, that the visit was
repeated a few weeks after. Before winter set in,
she was so far restored that she spent several days
in his family, and conducted with the greatest pro-
priety. He soon after applied to the Governor for a
pardon, which was promptly granted. His next step
was to procure a suitable home for her ; and a
worthy Quaker family in Pennsylvania, who were
acquainted with all the circumstances, agreed to
employ her as chambermaid and seamstress. When
it was all arranged, Friend Hopper went out to the
Asylum to carry the news. But fearful of exciting
her too much, he talked upon indifferent subjects for
a few minutes, and then asked if she would like to
go into the city again to spend a fortnight with his
family. She replied, " Indeed I would." He pro-
mised to take her with him, and added, "Perhaps
thou wilt stay longer than two weeks." At last, he
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 437
said, "It may be that thou wilt not have to return
here again. She sprang up instantly, and looking in
his face with intense anxiety, exclaimed, "Am I
pardoned ? Am I pardoned ? "
"Yes, thou art pardoned," he replied ; "and I have
come to take thee home." She fell back into her
it, covered her face with her hands, and wept
aloud. Friend Hopper, describing this interview in
a letter lo a friend, says : "It was the most affect-
ing scene 1 ever witnessed. Nothing could exceed
the joy I felt at seeing this child of sorrow relieved
from her sufferings, and restored to liberty. I had
seen this young and comely looking woman, who
was endowed with more than common good sense,
driven to the depths of despair by the intensity of
her sufferings. I had seen her a raving maniac.
Now, I saw her * sitting and clothed in her right
mind.' I was a thousand times more than compen-
sated for all the pains I had taken. I had sympa-
thized deeply with her sufferings, and I now partook
largely of her joy."
As her nerves were in a very excitable state, it
was thought best that she should remain a few weeks
under the superintendence of his daughter, Mrs. Gib-
bons, before she went to the home provided for her.
She was slightly unsettled at times, but was disposed
to be industrious and cheerful. Having earned a lit-
tle money by her needle, the first use she made of it,
438 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
was to buy a pair of vases for Friend Hopper ; and
proud and pleased she was, when she brought them
home and presented them ! He always kept them
on the parlor mantel-piece, and often told their histo-
ry to people who called upon him.
When she had become perfectly calm and settled,
he and his wife accompanied her to Pennsylvania,
and saw her established among her new friends, who
received her in the kindest manner. A week alter
his return, he wrote to assure her that his interest in
her had not abated. In the course of the letter, he
says : "I need not tell thee how anxious I am that
thou shouldst conduct so as to be a credit to thyself,
and to those who have interested themselves in thy
behalf. I felt keenly at parting with thee, but I was
comforted by the reflection that I had left thee with
kind friends. Confide in them upon all occasions,
and do nothing without their advice. Thy future
happiness will depend very much upon thyself. Never
suffer thy mind to become excited. Remember
that kind friends were raised up for thee in the midst
of all thy sorrows, and that they will always continue
to be thy friends, if thou wilt be guided by their
counsels. Thou wert with us so long, that we feel
toward thee like one of the family. All join me in
love to thee."
In her reply, she says : "Your letter was to me
what a glass of cold water would be when fainting.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 439
I have pored over it so much, that I have got it by-
heart. Friend Hopper, you first saw me in prison
and visited me. You followed me to the Asylum.
You did not forsake me. You have changed a bed
of straw to a bed of down. May Heaven bless and
reward you for it. No tongue can express the grati-
tude I feel. Many are the hearts you have made
glad. Suppose all you have dragged out of one
place and another were to stand before you at once !
I think you would have more than you could shake
hands with in a month ; and I know you would shake
hands with them all."
For a few months, she behaved in a very satisfac-
tory manner, though occasionally unsettled and de-
pressed. She wrote that the worthy woman with
whom she lived was ' both mother and friend to her.'
But the country was gloomy in the winter, and the
spirit of unrest took possession of her. She went to
Philadelphia and plunged into scenes of vice for a
week or two ; but she quickly repented, and was
rescued by her friends. I have seldom seen Friend
Hopper so deeply pained as he was by this retrograde
step in one whom he had rejoiced over, "as a brand
plucked from the burning." After awhile, he ad-
dressed a letter to her, in which he says : "I should
have written to thee before, but I have been at a loss
what to say. I have cared for thee, as if thou hadst
been my own child. Little did I think thou wouldst
440 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ever disgrace thyself, and distress me, by associating
with the most vile. Thou wert wonderfully snatched
from a sink of pollution. I hoped thou wouldst ap-
preciate the favor, and take a fresh start in life, de-
termined to do well. Better, far better, for thee to
have lingered out a wretched, existence in Blooming-
dale Asylum, than to continue in such a course as
that thou entered upon in Philadelphia. My heart is
pained while I write. Indeed, thou art seldom out
of my mind. Most earnestly, and affectionately, I
beseech thee to change thy course. Restrain evil
thoughts and banish them from thee. Try to keep
thy mind quiet, and stayed upon thy Heavenly Fa-
ther. He has done much for thee. He has follow-
ed thee in all thy wanderings. Ask him to for-
give thy iniquity, and he will have mercy on thee.
Thou mayest yet be happy thyself, and, make those
happy who have taken a deep interest in thy welfare.
But if thou art determined to pursue evil courses, af-
ter all that has been done for thee, let me tell thee
thy days will be* brief and full of trouble ; and I
doubt not thou wilt end them within the walls of a
prison. I hope better things of thee. If thou doest
well, it will afford encouragement to assist others ;
but if thy conduct is bad, it may be the means of
prolonging the sufferings of many others. I am still
thy friend, and disposed to do all I can for thee."
In her answer, she says : " Oh, frail woman ! No
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 441
steps can be recalled. It is all in the future to make
amends for the past. After all the good counsel
some receive, they return to habits of vice. They
repent when it is too late. How true it is that virtue
has its reward, and vice its punishment. I know
that the way of transgressors is hard. If I only had
a few years of my life to live over again, how differ-
ent would I live ! For the many blessings Provi-
dence has bestowed on me, may I be grateful. In
all my troubles, He has raised me up a friend. I be-
lieve He never forsakes me ; so there is hope for me.
Don't be discouraged that you befriended me ; for,
with God's blessing, you shall have no reason to re-
pent of it."
He wrote thus to her, a short time after : " I very
often think of thee, and I yet hope that I shall one
day see thee a happy and respectable woman. I
have lately had a good deal of conversation with the
Governor concerning 'my friends,' as he calls those
whom he has pardoned at my request. I did not tell
him thou hadst behaved incorrectly. I hope I shall
never be obliged to do so. I have had pleasant ac-
counts concerning thee lately, and I do not wish to
remember that thou hast ever grieved me. As 1
passed down the river yesterday, from Albany, I saw
Bloomingdale Asylum. I remembered how I used
to walk with thee about the grounds ; and my mind
was for a time depressed with melancholy reflections.
19*
442 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
I had deeply sympathized in thy sufferings ; and I
had rarely, if ever, experienced greater pleasure
than when I was the happy messenger of thy re-
demption from the grievous thraldom, under w T hich
thou wert suffering. Thou art blessed with more
than common good sense, and thou knowest how to
make thyself agreeable. I earnestly advise thee to
guard well thy thoughts. Never allow thyself to
use an immodest w T ord, or to be guilty of an unbe-
coming action. On all occasions, show thyself wor-
thy of the regard of those who feel an interest in
thy welfare. 'There is joy in heaven over one sin-
ner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine
just persons that need no repentance.' With ardent
solicitude for thy welfare, I remain thy sincere
friend."
About two years afterward, Friend Hopper made
the following record in his Register: "J. P. conti-
nues to conduct very satisfactorily. She makes a
very respectable appearance, is modest and discreet
in her deportment, and industrious in her habits. As
a mark of gratitude for the attentions, which at dif-
ferent times I have extended to her, she has sent me
a pair of handsome gloves, and a bandana handker-
chief. Taking into consideration all the circumstan-
ces attending this case, this small present affords me
much more gratification than ten times the value
from any other person." Six months later, he made
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 443
this record : "The Friend, with whom J. P. lives,
called upon me to say that she sent a world of love
to Isaac T. Hopper, whose kindness she holds in
grateful remembrance." The same Friend afterward
wrote, "She is all that I could wish her to be."
Many more instances might be quoted ; but enough
has been told to illustrate his patience and forbear-
ance, and his judicious mode of dealing with such
characters. Dr. Russ, one of the most active and
benevolent members of the Prison Association, thinks
it is a fair statement to say that at least three-fourths
of those for whom he interested himself eventually
turned out well ; though in several cases, it was af-
ter a few backslidings. The fullness of his sympa-
thy w r as probably one great reason why he obtained
such influence over them, and made them, so willing
to open their hearts to him. He naturally, and with-
out effort, put his soul in their soul's stead. This
rendered it easy for him to disregard his own inter-
ests, and set aside his own opinions, for the benefit of
others. In several instances, he procured another
place for a healthy, good-looking domestic, with
whose services he was well satisfied, merely because
some poor creature applied for work, who was too
lame, or ill-favored, to obtain employment elsewhere.
When an insane girl, from Sing Sing, was brought to
his house to wait for an opportunity to return to her
parents in Canada, he sent for the Catholic Bishop to
444 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
come and minister to her spiritual wants, because he
found she was very unhappy without religious con-
solation in the form to which she had been accus-
tomed in childhood.
The peculiar adaptation of his character to this
mission of humanity was not only felt by his fellow
laborers in the New- York Association, but was ac-
knowledged wherever he was known. Dr. Walter
Channing, brother of the late Dr. William Ellery
Channing wrote to him as follows, when the Boston
Prison Association was about being formed ; "I was
rejoiced to learn that you would stay to help at our
meetings in behalf of criminals. The demand which
this class of brothers has upon us is felt by every
man, who examines his own heart, and his own life.
How great is every man's need of the kindness and
love of his brethren ! Here is the deep-laid cause of
sympathy. Here is the secret spring of that wide
effort, which the whole world is now making for the
happiness and good of the race. I thank you for
what you have done in this noble work. I had heard
with the sincerest pleasure, of your labors for the
down-trodden and the poor. God bless you for these
labors of love ! Truly shall I thank you for the
light you can so abundantly give, and which will
make the path of duty plain before me."
Incessant demands were made upon his time and
attention. A great many people, if they happened
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 445
to have their feelings touched hy some scene of dis-
tress, seemed to think they had fulfilled their whole
duty hy sending- the sufferer to Isaac T. Hopper.
Few can imagine what an arduous task it is to be
such a thorough philanthropist as he was. Whoever
wishes for a crown like his, must earn it by carrying
the martyr's cross through life. They must make
up their minds to relinquish their whole time to such
pursuits ; they must be prepared to encounter envy
and dislike ; to be misrepresented and blamed, where
their intentions have been most praiseworthy ; to be
often disheartened by the delinquences, or ingrati-
tude, of those they have expended their time and
strength to serve ; above all, they must be willing to
live and die poor.
Though attention to prisoners was the mission to
which Friend Hopper peculiarly devoted the last
years of his life, his sympathy for the slaves never
abated. And though his own early efforts had been
made in co-operation with the gradual Emancipation
Society, established by Franklin, Rush, and others,
he rejoiced in the bolder movement, known as mod-
ern anti-slavery. Of course, he did not endorse eve-
rything that was said and done by all sorts of tem-
peraments engaged in that cause, or in any other cause.
But no man understood better than he did the fallacy
of the argument that modern abolitionists had put
back the cause of emancipation in the South. He
446 LIFE Of ISAAC T. HOPPER.
often used to speak of the spirit manifested toward
William Savery, when he went to the South to
preach, as early as 1791. Writing from Augusta,
Georgia, that tender-hearted minister of Christ says :
" They can scarcely tolerate us, on account of our
abhorrence of slavery. This was truly a trying place
to lodge in another night." At Savannah the landlord
of a tavern where they lodged, ordered a cruel flog-
ging to be administered to one of his slaves, who had
fallen asleep through weariness, before his daily task
was accomplished. William Savery says : "When
we went to supper, this unfeeling wretch craved a
blessing ; which I considered equally abhorrent to the
Divine Being, as his curses." In the morning, when
the humane preacher heard sounds of the lash, ac-
companied by piteous cries for mercy, he had the
boldness to step in between the driver and the slave ;
and he stopped any further infliction of punishment,
for that time. He says: "This landlord was the
most abominably wicked man that I ever met with ;
full of horrid execrations, and threatenings of all
Northern people. But I did not spare him ; which
occasioned a bystander to express, with an oath, that
I should be 'popped over.' We left them distressed
in mind ; and having a lonesome wood of twelve
miles to pass through, we were in full expectation of
their waylaying, or coming after us, to put their
wicked threats in execution.'
J.IKE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 447
As early as 1806, James Lindley, of Pennsylvania,
had a large piece of iron hurled at him, as he was
passing through the streets, at Havre de Grace,
Maryland. Three of his ribs were broken, and
several teeth knocked out, and he was beaten till he
was supposed to be dead. All this was done merely
because they mistook him for Jacob Lindley, the
Quaker preacher, who was well known as a friend to
fugitives from slavery.
In view of these, and other similar facts, Friend
Hopper was never disposed to blame abolitionists for
excitements at the South, as many of the Quakers
were inclined to do. He had a sincere respect for
the integrity and conscientious boldness of William
Lloyd Garrison ; as all have, who know him well
enough to appreciate his character. For many
years, he was always an invited and welcome guest
on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Anti-
Slavery Society in New-York. Mr. Garrison's feel-
ings toward him are manifested in the following
answer to one of his letters : "As there is no one in
the world for whom I entertain more veneration and
esteem than for yourself, and as there is no place in
New- York, that is so much like home to me, as your
own hospitable dwelling, be assured it will give me
the utmost pleasure to accept your friendly invita-
tion to remain under your roof during the approach-
448 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
ing anniversary week." It was on one of these
occasions, that Garrison addressed to him the fol-
lowing sonnet :
" Thou kind and venerable friend of man,
In heart and spirit young, though old in years !
The tyrant trembles when thy name he hears,
And the slave joys thy honest face to scan.
A friend more true and brave, since time began,
Humanity has never found : her fears
By thee have been dispelled, and wiped the tears
Adown her sorrow-stricken cheeks that ran.
If like Napoleon's appears thy face,
Thy soul to his bears no similitude.
He came to curse, but thou to bless our race.
Thy hands are pure ; in blood were his imbrued.
His memory shall be covered with disgrace,
But thine embalmed among the truly great and good."
Until the last few years of his life, Friend Hopper
usually walked to and from his office twice a day,
making about five miles in the whole ; to which he
sometimes added a walk in the evening, to visit
children or friends, or transact some necessary busi-
ness. When the weather was very unpleasant, he
availed himself of the Harlem cars. Upon one of
these occasions, it chanced that the long, ponderous
vehicle was nearly empty. They had not proceeded
far, when a very respectable-looking young woman
beckoned for the car to stop. It did so ; but when
she set her foot on the step, the conductor, some-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 449
what rudely pushed her back ; and she turned away,
evidently much mortified. Friend Hopper started
up and inquired, "Why didst thou push that woman
away?"
" She's colored," was the laconic reply.
"Art thou instructed by the managers of the rail-
road to proceed in this manner on such occasions?"
inquired Friend Hopper.
The man answered, "Yes."
"Then let me get out," rejoined the genuine re-
publican. "It disturbs my conscience to ride in "a
public conveyance, where any decently behaved per-
son is refused admittance." And though it was
raining very fast, and his home was a mile off, the
old veteran of seventy-five years marched through
mud and wet, at a pace somewhat brisker than his
usual energetic step ; for indignation w T armed his
honest and kindly heart, and set the blood in motion.
The next day, he called at the rail-road office, and
very civilly inquired of one of the managers whether
conductors w T ere instructed to exclude passengers
merely on account of complexion.
"Certainly not," was the prompt reply. "They
have discretionary power to reject any person who
is drunk, or offensively unclean, or indecent, or quar-
relsome."
Friend Hopper then related how a young woman
of modest appearance, and respectable dress, w T as
450 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
pushed from the step, though the car was nearly
empty, and she was seeking shelter from a violent
ruin.
"That was wrong," replied the manager. "We
have no reason to complain of colored people as pas-
sengers. They obtrude upon no one, and always
have sixpences in readiness to pay ; whereas fash-
ionably dressed white people frequently offer a ten
dollar bill, which they know we cannot change, and
thus cheat us out of our rightful dues. Who was
the conductor, that behaved in the manner you have
described 1 We will turn him aw r ay, if he does n't
know better how to use the discretionary power with
which he is entrusted."
Friend Hopper replied, "I had rather thou wouldst
not turn him out of thy employ, unless he repeats
the offence, after being properly instructed. I have
no wish to injure the man. He has become infected
with the unjust prejudices of the community without
duly reflecting upon the subject. Friendly conver-
sation with him may suggest wiser thoughts. All I
ask of thee is to instruct him that the rights of the
meanest citizen are to be respected. I thank thee
for having listened to my complaint in such a candid
and courteous manner."
"And I thank you for having come to inform us
of the circumstance," replied the manager. They
parted mutually well pleased ; and a few days after,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 451
the same conductor admitted a colored woman into
the cars without making any objection. This im-
proved state of things continued several weeks. But
the old tyrannical system was restored, owing to
counteracting influence from some unknown quarter.
I often met colored people coming from the country
in the Harlem cars ; but I never afterward knew one
to enter from the streets of the city.
Many colored people die every year, and vast
numbers have their health permanently impaired, on
account of inclement weather, to which they are ex-
posed by exclusion from public conveyances. And
this merely on account of complexion ! What a tor-
nado of popular eloquence would come from our
public halls, if Austria or Russia were guilty of any
despotism half as mean ! Yet the great heart of the
people is moved by kind and sincere feelings in its
outbursts against foreign tyranny. But in addition
to this honorable sympathy for the oppressed in other
countries, it would be well for them to look at home,
and consider whether it is just that any well-behaved
people should be excluded from the common privi-
leges of public conveyances. If a hundred citizens
in New-York would act as Friend Hopper did, the
evil would soon be remedied. It is the almost uni-
versal failure in individual duty, which so accumu-
lates errors and iniquities in society, that the ultra-
theories, and extra efforts of reformers become abso-
452 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
lutely necessary to prevent the balance of things
from being destroyed ; as thunder and lightning are
required to purify a polluted atmosphere. Godwin,
in some of his writings, asks, "What is it that ena-
bles a thousand errors to keep their station in the
world ? It is cowardice. It is because the majority
of men, w 7 ho see that things are not altogether right,
yet see in so frigid a w T ay, and have so little courage
to express their views. If every man to-day would
tell all the truth he knows, three years hence, there
would scarcely be a falsehood of any magnitude
remaining in the civilized world."
In the summer of 1844, Friend Hopper met with
a Methodist preacher from Mississippi, who came
with his family to New-York, to attend a General
Conference. Being introduced as a zealous aboli-
tionist, the conversation immediately turned upon
slavery. One of the preacher's daughters said, " I
could'nt possibly get along without slaves, Mr. Hop-
per. Why I never dressed or undressed myself, till
I came to the North. I wanted very much to bring
a slave with me."
"I wish thou hadst," rejoined Friend Hopper.
"And what would you have done, if you had seen
her?" she inquired.
He replied, "I would have told her that she was
a free woman while she remained here ; but if she
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER 453
went back to the South, she would be liable to be
sold, like a pig or a sheep."
They laughed at this frank avowal, and when he
invited them to come to his house with their father,
to take tea, they gladly accepted the invitation.
Again the conversation turned toward that subject,
which is never forgotten when North and South
meet. In answer to some remark from Friend Hop-
per, the preacher said, "Do you think I am not a
Christian ?"
"I certainly do not regard thee as one," he replied.
"And I suppose you think I cannot get to hea-
ven ?" rejoined the slaveholder.
" I will not say that," replied the Friend. "To
thy own Master thou must stand or fall. But slavery
is a great abomination, and no one who is guilty of
it can be a Christian, or Christ-like. I would not
exclude thee from the kingdom of heaven ; but if
thou dost enter there, it must be because thou art
ignorant of the fact that thou art living in sin."
After a prolonged conversation, mostly on the
same topic, the guests rose to depart. The Metho-
dist said, "Well, Mr. Hopper, I have never been
treated better by any man, than I have been by you.
I should be very glad to have you visit us."
"Ah ! and thou wouldst lynch me ; or at least, thy
friends would," he replied, smiling.
" Oh no, we would treat you very well," rejoined
454 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the Southerner. " But how would you talk about
slavery if you were there ?"
"Just as I do here, to be sure," answered the
Quaker. " I would advise the slaves to be honest,
industrious, and obedient, and never try to run away
from a good master, unless they were pretty sure of
escaping ; because if they were caught, they would
fare worse than before. But if they had a safe op-
portunity, I should advise them to be off as soon as
possible." In a more serious tone, he added, " And
to thee, who claimest to be a minister of Christ, I
would say that thy Master requires thee to give de-
liverance to the captive, and let the oppressed go
free. My friend, hast thou a conscience void of of-
fence ? When thou liest down at night, is thy mind
always at ease on this subject ? After pouring out
thy soul in prayer to thy Heavenly Father, dost thou
not feel the outraged sense of right, like a perpetual
motion, restless within thy breast ? Dost thou not
hear a voice telling thee it is wrong to hold thy fel-
low men in slavery, with their wives and their little
ones f
The preacher manifested some emotion at this ear-
nest appeal, and confessed that he sometimes had
doubts on the subject ; though, on the whole, he had
concluded that it was right to hold slaves. One of
his daughters, who was a widow, seemed to be more
deeply touched. She took Friend Hopper's hand, at
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 455
parting, and said, "I am thankful for the privilege
of having seen you. I never talked with an aboli-
tionist before. You have convinced me that slave-
holding is sinful in the sight of God. My husband
left me several slaves, and I have held them for five
years ; but when I return, I am resolved to hold a
slave no longer."
Friend Hopper cherished some hope that this
preaching and praying slaveholder would eventually
manumit his bondmen ; but I had listened to his
conversation, and I thought otherwise. His con-
science seemed to me to be asleep under a seven-fold,
shield of self-satisfied piety ; and I have observed
that such consciences rarely waken.
At the time of the Christiana riots, in 1851, when
the slave-pow r er seemed to overshadow 7 everything,
and none but the boldest ventured to speak against
it, Friend Hopper wrote an article for the Tribune,
and signed it with his name, in which he maintained
that the colored people, "w 7 ho defended themselves
and their firesides against the lawless assaults of an
armed party of negro-hunters from Maryland," ought
not to be regarded as traitors or murderers "by men
who set a just value on liberty, and who had no con-
scientious scruples with regard to war."
The first runaway, who was endangered by the
passage of the Fugitive Slave Law- in 1850, happen-
ed to be placed under his protection. A very good-
456 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
looking colored man, who escaped from bondage, re-
sided some years in Worcester, Massachusetts, and
acquired several thousand dollars by hair-dressing.
He went to New- York to be married, and it chanced
that his master arrived in Worcester in search of
him, the very day that he started for that city.
Some person friendly to the colored man sent infor-
mation to New- York by telegraph ; but the gentle-
man to whom it was addressed was out of the city.
One of the operators at the telegraph office said,
"Isaac T. Hopper ought to know of this message ;"
and he carried it himself. Friend Hopper was then
eighty years old, but he sprang out of bed at mid-
night, and went off with all speed to hunt up the fu-
gitive. He found him, w T arned him of his danger,
and offered to secrete him. The colored man hesi-
tated. He feared it might be a trick to decoy him
into his master's power. But the young wife gazed
very earnestly at Friend Hopper, and said, "I would
trust the countenance of that Quaker gentleman
anywhere. Let us go with him." They spent the
remainder of the night at his house, and after being
concealed elsewhere for a few days, they went to
Canada. This slave was the son of his master, who
estimated his market-value at two thousand, five hun-
dred dollars. Six months imprisonment, and a fine
of one thousand dollars was the legal penalty for
aiding him. But Friend Hopper always said, " I
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 457
have never sought to make any slave discontented
with his situation, because I do not consider it either
wise or kind to do so ; but so long as my life is
spared, I will always assist any one, who is trying to
escape from slavery, be the laws what they may."
A black man, who had fled from bondage, married
a mulatto woman in Philadelphia, and became the
father of six children. He owned a small house in
the neighborhood of that city, and had lived there
comfortably several years, when that abominable law
was passed, by which the Northern States rendered
their free soil a great hunting-ground for the rich
and powerful to run down the poor and weak. In
rushed the slaveholders from all quarters, to seize
their helpless prey ! At dead of night, the black
man, sleeping quietly in the humble home he had
earned by unremitting industry, was roused up to re-
ceive information that his master was in pursuit of
him. His eldest daughter was out at service in the
neighborhood, and there was no time to give her no-
tice. They hastily packed such articles as they
could take, caught the little ones from their beds,
and escaped before the morning dawned. A gentle-
man, who saw them next day on board a steamboat,
observed their uneasiness, and suspected they were
" fugitives from injustice." When he remarked this
to a companion, he replied, " They have too much
luggage to be slaves." Nevertheless, he thought it
20
458 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
could do no harm to inform them that Isaac T. Hop-
per of New-York was the best adviser of fugitives.
Accordingly, a few hours afterward, the whole co-
lored colony was established in his house ; where the
genteel-looking mother, and her bright, pretty little
children excited a very lively interest in all hearts.
They made their way to Canada as soon as possible,
and the daughter who was left in Philadelphia, was
soon after sent to them.
Friend Hopper's resolute resistance to oppression,
in every form, never produced any harshness in his
manners, or diminished his love of quiet domestic
life. He habitually surrendered himself to pleasant
influences, even from events that troubled him at the
time, he generally extracted some agreeable incident
and soon forgot those of opposite character. It was
quite observable how little he thought of the instan-
ces of ingratitude he had met with. He seldom, if
ever, alluded to them, unless reminded by some di-
rect question ; but the unfortunate beings who had
persevered in reformation, and manifested gratitude,
were always uppermost in his thoughts.
Though always pleased to hear that his children
were free from pecuniary anxiety, he never desired
wealth for them. The idea of money never seemed
to occur to him in connection with their marriages.
It was a cherished wish of his heart to have them
united to members of the Society of Friends ; yet he
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 459
easily yielded, even on that point, as soon as he saw
their happiness was at stake. When one of his sons
married into a family educated under influences to-
tally foreign to Quaker principles, he was somewhat
disturbed. But he at once adopted the bride as a
beloved daughter of his heart ; and she ever after
proved a lovely and thomless Rose in the pathway
of his life. Great was his satisfaction when he dis-
covered that she was grandchild of Dr. William
Rogers, Professor of English and Oratory in the
University of Pennsylvania, who, sixty years before,
had preached the first 'sermon to inmates of the State
Prison, in Philadelphia. That good and. gifted cler-
gyman was associated with his earliest recollections ;
for when he was on one of his pleasant visits to his
uncle Tatem, at six years old, he went to meeting
with him for the first time, and was seated on a stool
between his knees. The proceedings were a great
novelty to him ; for Dr. Rogers was the first minis-
ter he ever saw in a pulpit. He never forgot the
text of that sermon. I often heard him repeat it,
during the last years of his life. The remembrance
of these incidents, and the great respect he had for
the character of the prison missionary, at once es-
tablished in his mind a claim of old relationship be-
tween him and the new inmate of his household.
He had the custom of sitting with his wife on the
front-door-step during the summer twilight, to catch
460 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the breeze, that always refreshes the city of New-
York, after a sultry day. On such occasions, the
children of the neighborhood soon began to gather
round him. One of the most intelligent and inter-
esting pupils of the Deaf and Dumb Institution had
married Mr. Gallaudet, Professor in that Institution,
and resided in the next house. She had a bright
lively little daughter, who very early learned to imi-
tate her rapid and graceful way of conversing by
signs. This child was greatly attracted toward
Friend Hopper. The moment she saw T him, she
would clap her tiny hands with delight, and toddle
toward him, exclaiming, "Opper! Opper !" When
he talked to her, she would make her little fingers
fly, in the prettiest fashion, interpreting by signs to
her mute mother all that " Opper" had been saying.
Her quick intelligence and animated gestures were a
perpetual source of amusement to him. When he
went down to his office in the morning, all the nurses
in the neighborhood were accustomed to stop in his
path, that he might have some playful conversation
with the little ones in their charge. He had a plea-
sant nick-name for them all ; such as " Blue-bird,"
or " Yellow T -bird," according to their dress. They
w T ould run up to him as he approached home, calling
out, " Here's your little Blue-bird !"
His garden was another source of great satisfac-
tion to him. It was not bigger than a very small
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 461
bed-room, and only half of it received the sunshine.
But he called the minnikin grass-plot his meadow,
and talked very largely about mowing his hay. He
covered the walls and fences with flowering vines,
and suspended them between the pillars of his little
piazza. Even in this employment he revealed the
tendencies of his character. One day, when I was
helping him train a woodbine, he said, ''Fasten it in
that direction, Maria ; for I want it to go over into
our neighbor's yard, that it may make their wall
look pleasant."
In the summer of 1848, when I was staying in the
country, not far from New-York, I received the fol-
lowing letter from him: "Dear Friend, the days
have not yet come, in which I can say I have no
pleasure in them. Notwithstanding the stubs against
which I hit my toes, the briars and thorns that some-
times annoy me, and the muddy sloughs I am some-
times obliged to wade through, yet, after all, the
days have not come in which I have no enjoyment.
In the course of my journey, I find here and there a
green spot, by which I can sit down and rest, and
pleasant streams, where I sometimes drink, mostly
in secret, and am refreshed. I often remember the
saying of a beloved friend, long since translated from
this scene of mutation to a state of eternal beati-
tude : ' I wear my sackcloth on my loins ; I don't
wish to afflict others by carrying a sorrowful coun-
462 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
tenance.' A wise conclusion. I love to diffuse hap-
piness over all with whom I come in contact. But
all this is a kind of accident. I took up my pen to
tell thee about our garden. I never saw it half so
handsome as it is now. Morning Glories are on
both sides of the yard, extending nearly to the
second story windows ; and they exhibit their glories
every morning, in beautiful style. There are Cy-
press vines, twelve feet high, running up on the pil-
lar before the kitchen window, and spreading out
each way. They blossom most profusely. The
wooden wall is entirely covered with Madeira vines,
and the stone wall with Woodbine. The grass-plot
is very thrifty, and our borders are beautified with a
variety of flowers. How thou wouldst like to look
at them !"
I replied as follows: "My dear and honored
friend : Your kind, cheerful epistle came into my
room as pleasantly as would the vines and flowers
you describe. I am very glad the spirit moved you
to write; for, to use the words of the apostle, 'I
thank my God for every remembrance of you.' I do
not make many professions of friendship, because
neither you nor I are much given to professions ; but
there is no one in the world for whom I have a higher
respect than yourself, and very few for whom I che-
rish a more cordial affection. You say the time has
not yet come when you have no pleasure. I think,
LIFE OF ISAAC T. IIOrPER. 463
my friend, that it will never come. To an ever-
. n heart, like yours, so full of kindly sympathies,
the little children will always prattle, the birds will
always sing, and the flowers will always offer in-
se. This reward of the honest and kindly heart
is one of those, which 'the world can neither give
nor take away.'
u I should love to see your garden now. There i's
a peculiar satisfaction in having a very little patch
all blooming into beauty. I had such an one in my
humble home in Boston, some years ago. It used to
make me think of Mary Howitt's very pleasant poe-
try :
•• \ rs, in the poor man's garden grow
Far more than herbs and flowers ;
Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind,
And joy for weary hours."
I have one enjoyment this summer, which you can-
not have in your city premises. The birds ! not only
their sweet songs, but all their little cunning manoeu-
vre's in courting, building their nests, and. rearing
their young. I w T atched for hours a little Phoebe-
bird, who brought out her brood to teach them to
fly. They used to stop to jest themselves on the
naked branch of a dead pear-tree. There they sat
so quietly, all in a row 7 , in their sober russet suit of
feathers, just as if they were Quakers at meeting.
The birds are very tame here ; thanks to Friend Jo-
seph's tender heart. The Bob-o-links pick seed from
464 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
the dandelions, at my very feet. May you sleep
like a child when his friends are with him, as the
Orientals say. And so farewell."
Interesting strangers occasionally called to see
Friend Hopper, attracted by his reputation. Frederi-
ka Bremer was peculiarly delighted by her inter-
views with him, and made a fine sketch of him in
her collection of American likenesses. William
Page, the well-known artist, made for me an admi-
rable drawing of him, when he was a little past sev-
enty years old. Eight years after, Salathiel Ellis,
of New-York, at the suggestion of some friends,
executed an uncommonly fine medallion likeness.
A reduced copy of this was made in bronze at
the request of some members of the Prison Asso-
ciation. The reverse side represents him raising a
prisoner from the ground, and bears the appropriate
inscription, "To seek and to save that which was
lost."
Young people often sent him pretty little testimo-
nials of the interest he had excited, in their minds.
Intelligent Irish girls, with whom he had formed ac-
quaintance in their native land, never during his life
ceased to write to him, and occasionally sent some
tasteful souvenir of their friendship. The fashiona-
ble custom of New- Year's and Christmas offerings
was not in his line. But though he always dined on
humble fare at Christmas, as a testimony against the
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 465
observance of holy days, he secretly sent turkeys to
poor families, who viewed the subject in a different
light ; and it was only by accidental circumstances
that they at last discovered to whom they owed the
annual gift.
Members of the Society of Friends often came to
see him ; and for many of them he cherished high
respect, and a very warm friendship. But his cha-
racter grew larger, and his views more liberal, after
the bonds which bound him to a sect were cut asun-
der. Friends occasionally said to him, "We miss
thy services in the Society, Isaac. Hadst thou not
better ask to be re-admitted ? The way is open for
thee, whenever thou hast an inclination to return."
He replied, " I thank thee. But in the present state
of the Society, I don't think I could be of any ser-
vice to them, or they to me." But he could never
relinquish the hope that the primitive character of
Quakerism would be restored, and that the Society
would again hold up the standard of righteousness
to the nations, as it had in days gone by. Nearly
every man, who forms strong religious attachments
in early life, cherishes similar anticipations for his
sect, whose glory declines, in the natural order of
things. But such hopes are never realized. The
spirit has a resurrection, but not the form. "Soul
never dies. Matter dies off it, and it lives else-
where." Thus it is with truth. The noble princi-
20*
466 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
pies maintained by Quakers, through suffering and
peril, have taken root in other sects, and been an in-
calculable help to individual seekers after light,
throughout the Christian world. Like winged seed
scattered in far-off soils, they will produce a forest-
growth in the future, long after the original stock is
dead, and its dust dispersed to the winds.
In Friend Hopper's last years, memory, as usual
with the old, was busily employed in reproducing the
the past ; and in his mind the pictures she presented
were uncommonly vivid. In a letter to his daughter,
Sarah Palmer, he writes : "I was deeply affected on
being informed of the death of Joseph Whitall. We
loved one another when we were children ; and I
never lost my love for him. I think it will not be
extravagant if I say that my soul was knit with his
soul, as Jonathan's was to David's. I have a letter,
which I received from him in 1795. I have not
language to express my feelings. Oh, that separa-
tion ! that cruel separation ! How it divided very
friends ! "
In a letter to his daughter Susan, we again find
him looking fondly backward. He says : "I often,
very often remember the example of thy dear mother,
with feelings that no language can portray. She
was neat and tasteful in her appearance. Her dress
was elegant, but plain, as became her Christian pro-
fession. She loved sincere Friends, faithfully main-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 467
tained all their testimonies, and was a diligent at-
tender of meetings. She was kind and affectionate
to all. In short, she was a bright example in her
family, and to all about her, and finally laid down
her head in peace. May her children imitate her
virtues."
Writing to his daughter Sarah in 1845, he thus
returns to the same beloved theme: "I lately hap-
pened to open the Memoirs of Sarah Harrison. It
seemed to place me among my old friends, with
whom I walked in sweet unity and Christian fellow-
ship, in days that are gone forever. I there saw the
names, and read the letters, of William Savery,
Thomas Scattergood, and a host of others, who have
long since gone to their everlasting rest. I hope,
however unworthy, to join them at some day, not
very distant."
"Next day after to-morrow, it will be fifty years
since I was married to thy dear mother. How fresh
many of the scenes of that day are brought before
me ! It almost seems as if they transpired yester-
day. These reminiscences afford me a melancholy
pleasure, and I love to indulge in them. No man
has experienced more exquisite pleasure, or deeper
sorrows than I have."
Perhaps the reader will say that I have spoken
little of his sorrows ; and it is true. But who does
not know that all the sternest conflicts of life can
468 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
never be recorded ! Every human soul must walk
alone through the darkest and most dangerous paths
of its spiritual pilgrimage ; absolutely alone with
God ! Much, from which we suffer most acutely,
could never be revealed to others ; still more could
never be understood, if it were revealed ; and still
more ought never to be repeated, if it could be un-
derstood. Therefore, the frankest and fullest bio-
graphy must necessarily be superficial.
The old gentleman was not prone to talk of his
troubles. They never made him irritable, but rather
increased his tenderness and thoughtfulness toward
others. His naturally violent temper was brought
under almost complete subjection. During the nine
years that I lived with him, I never saw him lose his
balance but twice ; and then it was only for a
moment, and under very provoking circumstances.
The much-quoted line, "None knew him but to
love him, none named him but to praise," was proba-
bly never true of any man ; certainly not of any one
with a strong character. Many were hostile to
Friend Hopper, and some were bitter in their enmity.
Of course, it could not be otherwise with a man who
battled with oppression, selfishness, and bigotry,
wherever he encountered them, and whose rebukes
were too direct and explicit to be evaded. More-
over, no person in this world is allowed to be pecu-
liar and independent with impunity. There are
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 469
always men who wish to compel such characters
to submit, by the pressure of circumstances. This
kind of spiritual thumb- screw was often, and in va-
rious ways, tried upon Friend Hopper ; but though
it sometimes occasioned temporary inconvenience,
it never induced him to change his course.
Though few old men enjoyed life so much as he
did, he always thought and spoke of death with
cheerful serenity. On the third of December, 1851,
he wrote thus to his youngest daughter, Mary :
"This day completes my eightieth year. 'My eye
is not dim, nor my natural force abated.' My head
is well covered with hair, which still retains its usual
glossy dark color, with but few gray hairs sprinkled
about, hardly noticed by a casual observer. My life
has been prolonged beyond most, and has been truly
'a chequered scene.' I often take a retrospect of it,
and it fills me with awe. It is marvellous how many
dangers and hair-breadth escapes I have experienced.
If I may say it without presumption, I desire not to
live until I am unable to take care of myself, and
become a burden to those about me. If I had my
life to live over again, the experience I have had
might caution me to avoid many mistakes, and per-
haps I might make a more useful citizen ; but I
don't know that I should greatly improve it. Mercy
and kindness have followed me thus far, and I have
faith that they will continue with me to the end."
470 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
But the bravest and strongest pilgrim, when he is
travelling toward the sunset, cannot but perceive
that the shadows are lengthening around him. He
did not, like most old people, watch the gathering
gloom ; but during the last two or three years
of his life, he seemed to have an increasing feeling
of spiritual loneliness. He had survived all his co-
temporaries ; he had outlived the Society of Friends,
as it was when it took possession of his youthful
soul ; and though he sympathized with the present
generation remarkably for so old a man, still he was
among them, and not of them. He quieted this
feeling by the best of all methods. He worked
continually, and he worked for others. In this way,
he brought upon himself his last illness. A shop
had been built very far up in the city, for a dis-
charged convict, and the Association had incurred
considerable expense on his account. He was re-
markably skilful at his trade, but after awhile he
manifested slight symptoms of derangement. Friend
Hopper became extremely anxious about him, and
frequently travelled back and forth to examine into
the state of his affairs. This was in the severe
winter of 1852, and he was past eighty years old.
He took heavy colds, which produced inflammation
of the lungs, and the inflammation subsequently
extended to his stomach. In February of that year,
declining health made it necessary to resign his
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 471
office in the Prison Association. His letter to that
effect was answered by the following Resolutions,
unanimously passed at a meeting of the Executive
Committee :
"This Association has received, with undissembled
sorrow, the resignation of Isaac T. Hopper, as their
agent for the relief of discharged convicts.
"He was actively engaged in the organization of the
Society, and has ever since been its most active mem-
ber.
"His kindness of heart, and his active zeal in behalf
of the fallen and erring, whom he has so often befriended,
have given to this Society a lofty character for goodness,
which, being a reflection of his own, will endure with the
remembrance of him.
"His forbearance and patience, combined with his
great energy of mind, have given to its action an impetus
and a direction, which, it is to be earnestly hoped, will
continue long after it shall have ceased to enjoy his par-
ticipation in its active business.
" His gentleness and propriety of deportment toward
us, his associates, have given him a hold upon our af-
fections, which adds poignancy to our grief at parting
with him.
"And while we mourn his loss to us, our recollection
of the cause of it awakens within us the belief that the
good he has done will smooth his departure from among
us, and gives strength to the cheering hope that the recol-
472 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
lection of a life well spent may add even to the happiness
that is in store for him hereafter."
He sent the following reply, which I believe was
the last letter he ever wrote :
" Dear Friends : — I received through your committee,
accompanied by Dr. Russ, your resolutions of the 13th of
February, 1852, commendatory of my course while agent
for Discharged Convicts. My bodily indisposition has
prevented an earlier acknowledgment.
The kind, friendly, and affectionate manner in which
you have been pleased to express yourselves on this occa-
sion, excited emotions which I found it difficult to repress.
The approbation of those with whom I have long labored
in a deeply interesting and arduous concern, I value next
to the testimony of a good conscience. Multiplied years
and debility of body admonish me to retire from active
life as much as may be, but my interest in the work has
not abated. Much has been dene, and much remains to
be done.
In taking a retrospect of my intercourse with you, I am
rejoiced to see that the great principles of humanity and
Christian benevolence have risen above and overspread
sectarian prejudice, that bane of Christianity, and while
each has been allowed to enjoy his own religious opinions
without interference from his fellows, we have labored
harmoniously together for the promotion of the great
object of our Association.
May He who clothes the lilies, feeds the ravens, and
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 473
provides for the sparrows, and without whose Providen-
tial regard, all our endeavors must be vain, bless your
labors, and stimulate and encourage you to persevere, so
that having, through His aid, fulfilled all your relative and
social duties, you may in the end receive the welcome,
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world : for I
was an hungered, and ye gave me meat ; I was thirsty,
and ye gave me drink ; I was a stranger, and ye took me
in ; naked, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and ye visited
me ; I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
That this may be our happy experience, is the fervent
desire of your sincere and affectionate friend,
Isaac T. Hopper.
New-York, 4th mo. 15, 1852."
Early in the Spring, he was conveyed to the
house of his daughter, Mrs. Gibbons, in the upper
part of the city ; it being supposed that change of
air and scene might prove beneficial. It was after-
ward deemed imprudent to remove him. His illness
was attended with a good deal of physical suffering ;
but he was uniformly patient and cheerful. He
often observed, "There is no cloud. There is
nothing in my way. Nothing troubles me." His
daughters left all other duties, and devoted them-
selves exclusively to him. Never were the declining
hours of an old man watched over with more devot-
ed affection. Writing to his daughter Mary, he
474 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
says: "I have the best nurses in New-York, thy
mother and sisters. I have every comfort that in-
dustry and ingenuity can supply."
Among the Quakers who manifested kindness and
sympathy, several belonged to the branch called
Orthodox ; for a sincere respect and friendship had
grown up between him and individuals of that
Society, in New- York, after the dust of controversy
had subsided. He was always glad to see them ;
for his heart warmed toward the plain dress and the
plain language. But I think nothing during his
illness gave him more unalloyed satisfaction than a
visit from William and Deborah Wharton, Friends
from Philadelphia. He loved this worthy couple
for their truly Christian character ; and they were,
moreover, endeared to him by many tender and
pleasant associations. They stood by him gene-
rously during his severe pecuniary struggles ; they
had been devoted to his beloved Sarah, whose long
illness was cheered by their unremitting attentions ,
and she, for many years, had received from Hannah
Fisher, Deborah's mother, the most uniform kind-
ness. William's father, a wealthy merchant, had
been to him an early and constant friend ; and his
uncle, the excellent mayor of Philadelphia, had sus-
tained him by his influence and hearty co-operation,
in many a fugitive slave case, that occurred in years
Tong past. It was, therefore, altogether pleasant to
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 475
clasp hands with these tried and trusty friends,
before life and all its reminiscences faded away.
His physician, Dr. John C. Beales, was very as-
siduous in his attentions, and his visits were always
interesting to the invalid, who generally made them
an occasion for pleasant and animated conversation ;
often leading the doctor off the professional track,
by some playful account of his symptoms, however
painful they might be. He had been his medical ad-
viser for many years, and as a mark of respect for
his disinterested services to his fellow-men, he uni-
formly declined to receive any compensation.
Neighbors and acquaintances of recent date, like-
wise manifested their respect for the invalid by all
manner of attentions. Gentlemen sent choice wines,
and ladies offered fruit and flowers. Market people,
who knew him in the way of business, brought deli-
cacies of various kinds for his acceptance. He was
gratified by such tokens of regard, and manifested it
in many pleasant little ways. One of his sons had
presented him a silver goblet, with the word "Fa-
ther" inscribed upon it ; and whenever he was about
to take nourishment, he would say, "Give it to me
in John's cup." When his little grand-daughter
brought flowers from the garden, he was careful to
have them placed by the bedside, where he could see
them continually. After he was unable to rise to
take his meals, he asked to have two cups and plates
476 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
brought to him, if it were not too much trouble ; for
he said it would seem pleasant, and like old times, to
have Hannah's company. So his wife ate with him,
as long as he was able to partake of food. A china
bird, which a ransomed slave had given to his daugh-
ter, when she was a little girl, was placed on the
mantel-piece, because he liked to look at it. A visi-
tor, to whom he made this remark one day, replied,
"It must be very pleasant to you now to remember
how many unfortunate beings you have helped." He
looked up, and answered with frank simplicity, " Yes,
it is pleasant."
He made continual efforts to conceal that he was
in pain. When they asked why he was so often
singing to himself, he replied, "If I didn't sing, I
should groan." Even as late as the day before he
died, he indulged in some little " Cheery ble" plea-
santries, evidently intended to enliven those who
were nearly exhausted by their long attendance on
him. At this period, his son-in-law, James S. Gib-
bons, wrote to me thus : " Considering his long bodi-
ly weakness, now ten weeks, he is in an extraordina-
ry state of mental strength and clearness. Reminis-
cences are continually falling from his lips, like
leaves in autumn from an old forest tree ; not indeed
green, but rich in the colors that are of the tree, and
characteristic. Thou hast known him in the extra-
ordinary vigor and freshness of his old age ; cheat-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 477
ing time even out of turning his hair gray. But
thou shouldst see him now ; when, to use his own
words, he feels that 'the messenger has come.' All
his thoughts have tended to, and reached this point.
The only question with him now is of a few more
days. Though prostrate in body, his mind is like a
sturdy old oak, that don't care which way the wind
blows. As I sat by his bedside, last evening, I
thought I never had seen so beautiful a close to a
good man's life."
He had no need to make a will ; for he died, as he
had lived, without property. But he disposed of his
little keepsakes with as much cheerfulness as if he
had been making New-Year's presents. He seemed
to remember everybody in the distribution. His
Quaker library was left in the care of his children,
with directions that it should be kept where mem-
bers of the Society of Friends or others interested
could have ready access to it. To his daughter Sa-
rah he entrusted the paper written by her mother, at
fourteen years of age ; still fastened by the pin she
had placed in it, which her dear hand had invested
with more value than a diamond, in his eyes. He
earnestly recommended his wife to the affectionate
care of his children ; reminding them that she had
been a kind and faithful companion to him during
many years. He also gave general directions con-
cerning his funeral. "Don't take the trouble to
478 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
make a shroud," said he. "One of my night-shirty
will do as well. I should prefer to be buried in a
white pine coffin ; but that might be painful to my
family ; and I should not like to afflict them in any
way. It may, therefore, be of dark wood ; but be sure
to have it entirely plain, without varnish or inscrip-
tion. Have it made by some poor neighbor, and pay
Ifim the usual price of a handsome one ; for I merely
wish to leave a testimony against vain show on such
occasions." He appeared to be rather indifferent
where he was buried ; but when he was informed
that his son and daughter had purchased a lot at
Greenwood Cemetery, it seemed pleasant to him to
think of having them and their families gathered
round him, and he consented to be laid there.
I was summoned to his death-bed, and arrived two
days before his departure. 1 found his mind perfect-
ly bright and clear. He told over again some of his
old reminiscences, and indulged in a few of his cus-
tomary pleasantries. He spoke of rejoining his be-
loved Sarah, and his ancient friends William Savery,
Nicholas Wain, Thomas Scattergood, and others,
with as much certainty and pleasure as if he had
been anticipating a visit to Pennsylvania. Some-
times, when he was much exhausted with physical
pain, he would sigh forth, "Oh, for rest in the king-
dom of heaven !" But nothing that approached
nearer to complaint or impatience escaped his lips.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 479
On the last day, he repeated to me, what he had pre-
viously said to others, that he sometimes seemed to
hear voices singing, "We have come to take thee
home." Once, when no. one else happened to be
near him, he said to mc in a low, confidential tone,
u Maria, is there anything peculiar in this room ?" I
replied, "No. Why do you ask that question?"
"Because," said he, "you all look so beautiful; and
the covering on the bed has such glorious colors, as
] never saw. But perhaps I had. better not have said,
anything about it." The natural world was transfigur-
ed to his dying senses ; perhaps by an influx of light
from the spiritual ; and I suppose he thought I should
understand it as a sign that the time of his departure
drew nigh. It was a scene to remind one of Jeremy
Taylor's eloquent words : " When a good man dies,
one that hath lived, innocently, then the joys break
forth through the clouds of sickness, and the con-
science stands upright, and confesses the glories of
God : and owns so much integrity, that it can hope
for pardon, and obtain it too. Then the sorrows of
sickness do but untie the soul from its chain, and let
it go forth, first into liberty, and then into glory."
A few hours before he breathed his last, he rallied
from a state of drowsiness, and asked for a box con-
taining his private papers. He wished to find one,
which he thought ought to be destroyed, lest it should,
do some injury. He put on his spectacles, and looked
480 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
at the papers which were handed him ; but the old
man's eyes were dimmed with death, and he could
not see the writing. After two or three feeble and
ineffectual attempts, he took off his spectacles, with
a trembling hand, and gave them to his beloved
daughter, Sarah, saying, "Take them, my child, and
keep them. They were thy dear mother's. I can
never use them more." The scene was inexpressi-
bly affecting ; and we all wept to see this untiring
friend of mankind compelled at last to acknowledge
that he could work no longer.
Of his sixteen children, ten were living ; and all
but two of them were able to be with him in these
last days. He addressed affectionate exhortations to
them at various times ; and a few hours before he
died, he called them, one by one, to his bedside, to
receive his farewell benediction. At last, he whis-
pered my name ; and as I knelt to kiss his hand, he
said in broken accents, and at long intervals, "Ma-
ria, tell them I loved them though I felt called
to resist some who claimed to be rulers in Israel
1 never meant ." His strength was nearly
exhausted ; but after a pause, he pressed my hand,
and added, "Tell them I love them aZZ." I had pre-
viously asked and obtained permission to write his
biography ; and from these broken sentences, I un-
derstood that he wished me to convey in it a mes-
sage to the Society of Friends; including the "Or-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 481
thodox" branch, with whom he had been brought into
painful collision, in years gone by.
After several hours of restlessness and suffering,
he fell into a tranquil slumber, which lasted a long
time. The serene expression of his countenance re-
mained unchanged, and there was no motion of limb
or muscle, when the spirit passed away. This w T as
between eight and nine o'clock in the evening, on the
seventh of May, 1852. After a long interval of si-
lent weeping, his widow laid her head on the shoul-
der of one of his sons, and said, " Forty-seven years
ago this very day, my good father died ; and from
that day to this, he has been the best friend I ever
had."
No public buildings were hung with crape, when
news went forth that the Good Samaritan had gone.
But prisoners, and poor creatures in dark and deso-
late corners, wept when they heard the tidings. Ann
W. with whose waywardness he had borne so pa-
tiently, escaped from confinement, several miles dis-
tant, and with sobs implored "to see that good old
man once more.' , Michael Stanley sent the following
letter to the Committee of the Prison Association :
" When I read the account of the venerable Friend
Hopper's death, I could not help weeping. It touch-
ed a tender chord in my heart, when I came to the
account of his being the prisoner's friend. My soul
responded to that ; for I had realized it. About six
21
482 LIFE OP ISAAC T. HOPPER.
years ago, I was one of those who got good advice
from ' the old man.' I carried it out, and met with
great success. I was fatherless, motherless, and
friendless, with no home, nobody to take me by the
hand. I felt, as the poet lias it,
1 A pilgrim stranger here I roam,
From place to place I'm driven ;
My friends are gone, and I'm in gloom ;
This earth is all a lonely tomb ;
I have no home but heaven.'
Go on in the work of humanity and love, till the
Good Master shall say, 'It is enough. Come up
higher.' "
Nearly all the domestics in Friend Hopper's neigh-
borhood attended the funeral solemnities. One of
these said with tears, "I am an orphan; but while
he lived, I always felt as if I had a father. He al-
ways had something pleasant to say to me, but now
everything seems gone." A very poor man, who
had been an object of his charity, and whom he had
employed in many little services, could not rest till
he had earned enough to buy a small Arbor-vitse,
(Tree of Life,) to plant upon his grave.
The Executive Committee of the Prison Associa-
tion met, and passed the following Resolutions :
"Resolved : — That the combination of virtues which
distinguished and adorned the character of our lamented
friend, eminently qualified him for the accomplishment of
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 483
those benevolent and philanthropic objects to which he
unremittingly devoted a life far more extended than ordi-
narily falls to man's inheritance.
"That in our intimate associations with him for many
years, he has uniformly displayed a character remarkable
for its disinterestedness, energy, fearlessness, and Chris-
tian principle, in every good word and work.
" That we tender to the family and friends of the
deceased our sincere condolence and sympathy in their
sore bereavement, but whilst sensible that words, how-
ever truly uttered, cannot compensate for the loss of such
a husband, father, and guide, we do find both for our-
selves and for them, consolation in the belief that his
peaceful end was but the prelude to the bliss of Heaven.
"That in the death of Isaac T. Hopper, the community
is called to part with a citizen of transcendent worth and
excellence ; the prisoner, with an unwearied and well-
tried friend ; the poor and the homeless, with a father
and a protector ; the church of Christ, with a brother
whose works ever bore unfailing testimony to his faith ;
and the world at large, with a philanthropist of the purest
and most uncompromising integrity, whose good deeds
were circumscribed by no sect, party, condition or clime."
The American Anti-Slavery Society received the
tidings while they were in session at Rochester.
Mr. Garrison, after a brief but eloquent tribute to
the memory of the deceased, offered the following
Resolution :
484 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
"Resolved: — That it is with emotions too profound for
utterance, that this Society receives the intelligence of
the decease of the venerable Isaac T. Hopper, on Tues-
day evening last, in the city of New-York; the friend
of the friendless — boundless in his compassion — exhaust-
less in his benevolence — untiring in his labors — the most
intrepid of philanthropists, who never feared the face of
man, nor omitted to bear a faithful testimony against
injustice and oppression — the early, steadfast, heroic
advocate and protector of the hunted fugitive slave, to
whose sleepless vigilance and timely aid multitudes have
been indebted for their deliverance from the Southern
House of Bondage ; — in whom were equally blended the
gentleness of the lamb with the strength of the lion — the
wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove ;
and who, when the ear heard him, then it blessed him,
when the eye saw him, it gave witness to him, because
he delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and
him that had none to help him. The blessing of him
that was ready to perish came upon him, and he caused
the widow's heart to sing for joy. He put on righteous-
ness, and it clothed him ; his judgment was as a robe and
a diadem. He was eyes to the blind, and feet was he to
the lame. The cause which he knew not he searched out,
and he broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the
spoil out of its teeth.
He moved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded
in an official form to the estimable partner of his life, and
the children of his love, accompanied by an assurance
LIFE OF ISAAC T. IIOPFER. 485
of our deepest sympathy, in view of their great bereave-
ment.
Several spoke in support of the Resolution, which
- unanimously and cordially adopted.
The Committee of the Prison Association desired
to have public funeral solemnities, and the family
complied with their wishes. Churches of various
denominations were immediately offered for the pur-
pose, including the meeting-houses of both branches
of the Society of Friends. The Tabernacle was ac-
cepted. Judge Edmonds, who had been an efficient
co-laborer, and for whom Friend Hopper had a strong
personal affection, offered a feeling tribute to the vir-
tues and abilities of his departed friend. He was
followed by Lucretia Mott, a widely known and
highly respected minister among Friends. In her
appropriate and interesting communication, she dwelt
principally upon his efforts in behalf of the colored
people ; for whose sake she also had encountered
obloquy.
The Society of Friends in Hester-street, to which
he had formerly belonged, offered the use of their
burying-ground. It was kindly meant ; but his chil-
dren deeply felt the injustice of their father's expul-
sion from that Society, for no other offence than fol-
lowing the dictates of his own conscience. As his
soul had been too much alive for them, when it was
486 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
in the body, their unity with the lifeless form was
felt to avail but little.
The body was conveyed to Greenwood Cemetery,
followed only by the family, and a very few intimate
friends. Thomas McClintock, a minister in the So-
ciety of Friends, addressed some words of consola-
tion to the bereaved family, as they stood around the
open grave. Lucretia Mott affectionately commend-
ed the widow to the care of the children. In the
course of her remarks, she said, " I have no unity
with these costly monuments around me, by which
the pride and vanity of man strive to extend them-
selves beyond the grave. But I like the idea of bu-
rial grounds where people of all creeds repose to-
gether. It is pleasant to leave the body of our friend
here, amid the verdant beauty of nature, and the
sweet singing of birds. As he was a fruitful bough,
that overhung the wall, it is fitting that he should
not be buried within the walls of any sectarian en-
closure."
Three poor little motherless German boys stood
hand in hand beside the grave. Before the earth
was thrown in, the eldest stepped forward and drop-
ped a small bouquet on the coffin of his benefactor.
He had gathered a few early spring flowers from the
little garden plot, which his kind old friend used to
cultivate with so much care, and with childish love
and reverence he dropped them in his grave.
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 487
Soon after the funeral Lucretia Mott called a
meeting of the colored people in Philadelphia, and
delivered an address upon the life and services of
their friend and protector. There was a very large
audience ; and among them were several old people,
who well remembered him during his residence in that
city. At the Yearly Meeting also she paid a tribute
to his virtues ; it being the custom of Friends, on
such occasions, to make tender allusion to the wor-
thies who have passed from among them in the
course of the year.
The family received many letters of sympathy and
condolence, from which I will make a few brief ex-
tracts. Mrs. Marianne C. D. Silsbee, of Salem,
Massachusetts, thus speaks of him, in a letter to his
son John: "I have thought much of you all, since
your great loss. How you must miss his grand, con-
stant example of cheerful trust, untiring energy, and
love to all ! What a joy to have had such a father !
To be the son of such a man is ground for honest
pride. The pleasure of having known him, the
honor of having been in social relations with him, will
always give a charm to my life. I cherish among my
most precious recollections the pleasant words he
has so often spoken to me. I can see him while I
write, as vividly as though he were with me now ;
and never can his benign and beautiful countenance
lose its brightness in my memory. Dear old friend !
488 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
We cannot emulate your ceaseless good works ; but
we can follow, and we can love and remember."
Mrs. Mary E. Stearns, of Medford, Massachusetts,
wrote as follows to Rosalie Hopper : " The Telegraph
has announced that the precious life you were all so
anxiously watching has 'passed on,' and that myste-
rious change we call death has taken it from your
midst forever. It is such a beautiful day ! The air is
so soft, the grass so green, and the birds singing so
joyously ! The day and the event have become so
interwoven with each other, that I cannot separate
them. I think of his placid face, sleeping its last
still sleep ; and through the open window, I see the
springing grass and the bursting buds. My ears are
filled with bird-music, and all other sounds are hush-
ed in this Sabbath stillness. All I see and hear
seems to be hallowed by his departed spirit. Ah, it
is good to think of his death in the Spring time ! It
is good that his soul, so fresh, so young and hopeful,
should burst into a higher and more glorious life, as
if in sympathy with the ever beautiful, ever wonder-
ful resurrection of nature. Dear, blessed old man !
I shall never see his face again ; but his memory will
be as green as this springing grass, and we shall al-
ways think and talk of our little experience with
him, as one of the golden things that can never pass
away."
Dr. Russ, his beloved co-laborer in the Prison As-
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 489
sociation, wrote thus in a note to Mrs. Gibbons : "I
have found it for my comfort to change the furniture
of the office, that it might not appear so lonely with-
out your dear, venerable father. I felt for him the
warmest and most enduring friendship. I esteemed
him for his thousand virtues, and delighted in his so-
cial intercourse. I am sure no one out of his own
immediate family, felt his loss more keenly than my-
self."
James H. Titus, of New-York, thus expresses
himself in a letter to James S. Gibbons: "I have
r considered it one of the happiest and most for-
tunate* events of my life, to have had the privilege of
an acquaintance with Friend Hopper. I shall always
recur to his memory with pleasure, and I trust with
that moral advantage, which the recollection of his
Christian virtues is so eminently calculated to pro-
duce. How insignificant the reputation of riches,
how unsatisfactory the renown of victory in w r ar,
how transient political fame, when compared with
the history of a long life spent in services rendered
to the afflicted and the unfortunate !"
Ellis Gray Loring, of Boston, in a letter to John
Hopper, says : "We heard of your father's death while
\\ e were in Rome. I could not restrain a few tears ,
and yet God knows there is no room for tears about
the life or death of such a man. In both, he was a
blessing and encouragement to all of us. He really
21*
490 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
lived out all the life that was given him ; filling it up
to such an age with the beauty of goodness, and
consecrating to the divinest purposes that wonderful
energy of intellect and character. In a society full
of selfishness and pretension, it is a great thing to
have practical proof that a life and character like
his are possible."
Edmund L. Benzon, of Boston, writing to the
same, says; "You will imagine, better than I can
write, with what deep sympathy I learned the death
of your good father, whom I have always esteemed
one of the best of men. I cannot say I am sorry for
his death. My only regret is that more of us cannot
live and die as he has done. I feel with regacd to
all good men departed, whom I have personally
known, that there is now another witness in the spi-
rit, before whose searching eyes my inmost soul lies
open. I shall never forget him ; not even if such a
green old age as his should be my own portion. If
in the future life I can only be as near him as I was
on this earth, I shall deem myself blest."
From the numerous notices in papers of all par-
ties and sects, I will merely quote the following :
The New-York Observer thus announces his death :
"The venerable Isaac T. Hopper, whose placid bene-
volent face has so long irradiated almost every public
meeting for doing good, and whose name, influence, and
labors have been devoted with an apostolic simplicity
LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER. 491
and constancy to humanity, died on Friday last, at an
advanced age. He was a Quaker of that early sort
illustrated by such philanthropists as Anthony Benezet,
Thomas Clarkson, Mrs. Fry, and the like.
He was a most self-denying, patient, loving friend of
the poor, and the suffering of every kind ; and his life
an unbroken history of beneficence. Thousands of
hearts will feel a touch of grief at the news of his death ;
for few men have so large a wealth in the blessings of the
poor, and the grateful remembrance of kindness and
benevolence, as he."
The New- York Sunday Times contained the fol-
lowing :
"Most of our readers will call to mind in connection
with the name of Isaac T. Hopper, the compact, well-knit
figure of a Quaker gentleman, apparently about sixty
years of age, dressed in drab or brown clothes of the
plainest cut, and bearing on his handsome, manly face the
impress of that benevolence with which his whole heart
was filled.
He was twenty years older than he seemed. The
fountain of benevolence within, freshened his old age
with its continuous flow. The step of the octogenarian,
was elastic as that of a boy, his form erect as the moun-
tain pine.
His whole physique was a splendid sample of nature's
handiwork. We see him now with our "mind's eye" —
but with the eye of flesh we shall see him no more.
492 LIFE OF ISAAC T. HOPPER.
Void of intentional offence to God or man, his spirit has
joined its happy kindred in a world where there is neither
sorrow nor perplexity."
I sent the following communication to the New-
York Tribune :
"In this world of shadows, few things strengthen the
soul like seeing the calm and cheerful exit of a truly good
man ; and this has been my privilege by the bedside of
Isaac T. Hopper.
He was a man of remarkable endowments, both of head
and heart. His clear discrimination, his unconquerable
will, his total unconsciousness of fear, his extraordinary
tact in circumventing plans he wished to frustrate, would
have made him illustrious as the general of an army ; and
these qualities might have become faults, if they had not
been balanced by an unusual degree of conscientiousness
and benevolence. He battled courageously, not from
ambition, but from an inborn love of truth. He circum-
vented as adroitly as the most practised politician ; but
it was always to defeat the plans of those who oppressed
God's poor ; never to advance his own self-interest.
Few men have been more strongly attached to any re-
ligious society than he was to the Society of Friends,
which he joined in the days of its purity, impelled by his
own religious convictions. But when the time came that
he must either be faithless to duty in the cause of his
enslaved brethren, or part company with the Society to
which he was bound by the strong and sacred ties of early
life of isaac t. iioprER. 493
religious feeling, this sacrifice he also calmly laid on the
altar of humanity.
During nine years that I lived in his household, my
respect and affection for him continually increased.
Never have I seen a man who so completely fulfilled
the Scripture injunction, to forgive an erring brother "not
only seven times, but seventy times seven." I have
witnessed relapse after relapse into vice, under circum-
stances which seemed like the most heartless ingratitude
to him ; but he joyfully hailed the first symptom of re-
pentance, and was always ready to grant a new proba-
tion.
Farewell, thou brave and kind old Friend ! The
prayers of ransomed ones ascended to Heaven for thee,
and a glorious company have welcomed thee to the Eter-
nal City."
# *
On a plain block of granite at Greenwood Ceme-
tery, is inscribed :
ISAAC T. HOPPER,
BORN, DECEMBER 3d, 1771,
ENDED HIS PILGRIMAGE, MAY 7TH, 1852.
" Thou henceforth shalt have a good man's calm,
A great man's happiness ; thy zeal shall find
Repose at length, firm Friend of human kind."
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